The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed.
This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell nor
do they seek offers to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not
permitted.
Subject to Completion, Dated November 9, 2010
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus Dated July 16, 2008)
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Number 333-152005
Solarfun Power Holdings Co.,
Ltd.
Up to US$67,843,658 Aggregate Sale Price
of
American Depositary Shares
We are offering up to an aggregate sale price of US$67,843,658 of American Depositary Shares,
or ADSs, by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus dated July 16, 2008. Each
ADS represents five ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per ordinary share. The ADSs are evidenced
by American Depositary Receipts, or ADRs.
Our ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol SOLF. The last reported sale
price of our ADSs on November 8, 2010 was US$11.47 per ADS.
Investing
in the ADSs involves risks. See Risk Factors beginning on
page S-10.
PRICE $ PER ADS
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Underwriting
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Discounts and
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Price to Public
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Commissions
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Proceeds to Company
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Per ADS
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$
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$
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$
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Total
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$
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$
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$
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We have granted the underwriters the right to purchase up to US$10,176,548 aggregate sale price of
ADSs to cover over-allotments.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or
disapproved of these securities, or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The underwriters expect to deliver the shares to purchasers on.
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MORGAN STANLEY
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UBS INVESTMENT BANK
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HSBC
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WELLS
FARGO SECURITIES
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, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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S-i
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S-iii
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S-1
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S-10
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S-32
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S-33
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S-34
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S-35
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S-36
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S-45
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S-46
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S-47
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S-53
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S-59
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S-60
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S-61
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PROSPECTUS
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i
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ii
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1
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3
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4
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23
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24
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25
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26
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35
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41
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42
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46
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47
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48
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49
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51
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51
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52
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53
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document contains two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which
describes the specific terms of the offering and other matters relating to us and our financial
condition. The second part is the attached base prospectus, which gives more general information
about securities we may offer from time to time, some of which may not apply to the ADSs we are
offering. The information in this prospectus supplement replaces any inconsistent information
included in the accompanying prospectus. Generally, when we refer to the prospectus, we are
referring to both parts of this document combined. If information in the prospectus supplement
differs from information in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this
prospectus supplement.
In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires,
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ADRs are to the American depositary receipts that evidence our ADSs;
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ADSs are to our American depositary shares, each of which represents five ordinary
shares;
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China or the PRC are to the Peoples Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose
of this prospectus only, Taiwan and the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and
Macau;
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conversion efficiency are to the ability of photovoltaic, or PV, products to convert
sunlight into electricity, and conversion efficiency rates are commonly used in the PV
industry to measure the percentage of light energy from the sun that is actually converted
into electricity;
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cost per watt and price per watt are to the method by which the cost and price of PV
products, respectively, are commonly measured in the PV industry. A PV product is priced
based on the number of watts of electricity it can generate;
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GW are to gigawatt, representing 1,000,000,000 watts, a unit of power-generating
capacity or consumption;
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MW are to megawatt, representing 1,000,000 watts, a unit of power-generating capacity
or consumption. In this prospectus, it is assumed that, based on a yield rate of 95%,
420,000 125mm x 125mm or 280,000 156mm x 156mm silicon wafers are required to produce PV
products capable of generating 1 MW, that each 125mm x 125mm and 156mm x 156mm PV cell
generates 2.4 watts and 3.7 watts of power, respectively, and that each PV module contains
72 125mm x 125mm PV cells or 54 156mm x 156mm PV cells;
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PV are to photovoltaic. The photovoltaic effect is a process by which sunlight is
converted into electricity;
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RMB and Renminbi are to the legal currency of China;
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series A convertible preference shares are to our series A convertible preference
shares, par value US$0.0001 per share;
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shares or ordinary shares are to our ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share.
For the purpose of computing our basic or
diluted earnings per share, the 9,019,611 ADSs we issued to facilitate the convertible bond
offering and the 30,672,689 ordinary shares issued to Hanwha Solar are not considered outstanding;
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W
are to watt, a unit of power-generating capacity or consumption; and
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US$ and U.S. dollars are to the legal currency of the United States.
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Unless otherwise stated, the translations of RMB into U.S. dollars have been made at the
exchange rate as set forth on September 30, 2010 in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal
Reserve Board, which was
S-i
RMB6.6905 to US$1.00. We make no representation that the RMB or dollar amounts referred to in
this prospectus supplement could have been or could be converted into dollars or RMB, as the case
may be, at any particular rate or at all.
References in this prospectus to our annual manufacturing capacity assume 24 hours of
operation per day for 350 days per year.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, we, us, our company and our refer to Solarfun
Power Holdings Co., Ltd., its predecessor entities and its consolidated subsidiaries.
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement, the prospectus or any free writing prospectus prepared by us. We and the
underwriters have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different or additional
information. We are not making an offer of the ADSs in any jurisdiction where the offer is not
permitted. You should not assume that the information contained or incorporated by reference in
this prospectus supplement or in the prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on
the front of that document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospectus
may have changed since that date. Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying
prospectus constitutes an offer, or an invitation on our behalf or on behalf of the underwriters to
subscribe for and purchase, any of the ADSs and may not be used for or in connection with an offer
or solicitation by anyone, in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not
authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation.
S-ii
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference contain statements of a
forward-looking nature. These statements are made under the safe harbor provisions of the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as
aim, anticipate, believe, continue, estimate, expect, intend, is/are likely to,
may, plan, potential, will or other similar expressions. We have based these
forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events
and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations,
business strategy and financial needs. These forward-looking statements include, among other
things, statements relating to:
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our expectations with respect to our ability to re-negotiate the terms of our multi-year
supply agreements;
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our expectations regarding the worldwide demand for electricity and the market for solar
energy;
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our beliefs regarding the effects of environmental regulation, lack of infrastructure
reliability and long-term fossil fuel supply constraints;
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our beliefs regarding the inability of traditional fossil fuel-based generation
technologies to meet the demand for electricity;
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our beliefs regarding the importance of environmentally friendly power generation;
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our expectations regarding governmental support for the deployment of solar energy;
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our beliefs regarding the acceleration of adoption of solar technologies;
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our expectations with respect to advancements in our technologies;
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our beliefs regarding the competitiveness of our solar products;
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our expectations regarding the scaling of our manufacturing capacity;
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our expectations with respect to revenue growth and profitability;
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our expectations with respect to our ability to secure raw materials, especially
silicon-related materials, in the future;
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competition from other manufacturers of PV products and conventional energy suppliers;
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our future business development, results of operations and financial condition; and
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future economic or capital market conditions.
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We would like to caution you not to place undue reliance on these statements and you should
read these statements in conjunction with the risk factors disclosed in this prospectus supplement
for a more complete discussion of the risks of an investment in our ADSs and other risks outlined
in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The forward-looking
statements included in this prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference into this prospectus
supplement are made only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the date of the
incorporated document, and we do not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking
statements except as required under applicable law.
S-iii
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
The following summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus
supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus supplement and does not contain all the information you will need in making your
investment decision. You should read carefully this entire prospectus supplement, including the
Risk Factors section, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in
this prospectus supplement, which are described under Where You Can Find More Information About
Us.
Our Company
We are a leading manufacturer of silicon ingots, wafers, PV cells and PV modules in China. We
manufacture a variety of silicon ingots, wafers, PV cells and PV modules using advanced
manufacturing process technologies that have helped us to rapidly increase our operational
efficiency. We also provide PV cell processing services and PV module processing services to third
parties. We sell our high quality PV cells and PV modules both directly to system integrators and
through third party distributors. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we sold our products
to over 40 customers, mostly in Germany, Italy, Australia, the United States, China, Portugal and
the Czech Republic. We conduct our business in China through our operating subsidiary, Linyang
China.
We currently have 900 MW of annual PV module production capacity and 500 MW of annual PV cell
production capacity. In addition, we have achieved improvements in process technology and product
quality since we commenced our commercial production in November 2005. Our monocrystalline and
multicrystalline PV cells achieved conversion efficiency rates in the ranges of 17.0% to 17.8% and
15.5% to 16.3%, respectively, in the nine months ended September 30, 2010. In addition, we
currently have 360 MW of annual ingot production capacity and 400 MW of annual wire sawing
capacity. We plan to expand our PV module production capacity from 900 MW to 1,500 MW, PV cell
production capacity from 500 MW to 1,300 MW, ingot production capacity from 360 MW to 800 MW and
wire sawing capacity from 400 MW to 800 MW by the end of 2011. In an effort to further improve our
technological capability, we plan to adopt selective emitter technology in the fourth quarter of
2010 and rear passivation technology in 2011.
Our principal executive offices are located at 888 Linyang Road, Qidong, Jiangsu Province,
226200, Peoples Republic of China. Our telephone number at this address is (86-513) 8330-7688 and
our fax number is (86-513) 8311-0367. Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is at the offices
of Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman
Islands.
Investor inquiries should be directed to us at the address and telephone number of our
principal executive offices set forth above. Our website is www.solarfun.com.cn. The information
contained on our website does not constitute a part of this
prospectus supplement. Our agent for service of
process in the United States is CT Corporation System, located at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New
York 10011.
Our Industry
The PV industry has experienced continued robust growth in both established and emerging solar
markets in recent years. According to Solarbuzz, an independent solar energy research firm, the
global PV market increased from 2.4 GW in 2007 to 7.3 GW in 2009 in terms of total annual PV
installations, representing a compound annual growth rate of 74.4% from 2007 to 2009 and is
expected to increase to 20.9 GW in 2012. According to Solarbuzz, manufacturers based in Asia are
gaining market share due to their cost competitiveness. Our annual module shipment has increased
from 78 MW in 2007 to 313 MW in 2009, representing a compound annual growth rate of 100.3% from 2007 to 2009.
S-1
THE OFFERING
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The offering
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Up to US$67,843,658 aggregate sale price of ADSs.
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Offering price
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US$ per ADS.
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The ADSs
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Each ADS represents five ordinary shares, par
value US$0.0001 per ordinary share. The offered
ADSs are evidenced by American Depositary
Receipts.
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ADSs outstanding
immediately after this
offering.
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47,620,739 ADSs, based on the last reported sale price
of our ADSs of US$11.47 per ADS on November 8, 2010, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option by the underwriters.
(1)
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Ordinary shares
outstanding
immediately after this
offering
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432,412,802 ordinary shares, based on the last reported
sale price of our ADSs of US$11.47 per ADS on
November 8, 2010, assuming no exercise of the over-allotment option by the underwriters.
(2)
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Depositary
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The Bank of New York Mellon.
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Private placement to
Hanwha Solar
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Contingent upon and within seven days after the
completion of this offering, we plan to issue and
sell to Hanwha Solar Holdings Co., Ltd., or
Hanwha Solar, a certain number of additional
ordinary shares at the public offering price of
this offering that will allow Hanwha Solar to
maintain its level of equity ownership in
our company at 49.99%, pursuant to Regulation S of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Act. See Recent Developments
Strategic Investment by Hanwha Solar.
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Use of proceeds
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We intend to use the proceeds of this offering
for capital expenditures and general working
capital purposes.
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Risk factors
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See Risk Factors and other information included
in this prospectus supplement and the
accompanying prospectus for a discussion of
factors you should carefully consider before
deciding to invest in our ADSs.
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Nasdaq Global Market
Symbol for our ADSs
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Our ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market
under the symbol SOLF.
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Over-allotment option
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We have granted to the underwriters an option,
exercisable not later than 30 days after the date
of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to
US$10,176,548 aggregate sale price of additional
ADSs at the public offering price less the
underwriting discounts and commissions set forth
on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.
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(1)
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Calculated using 41,705,861 ADSs outstanding as of November 8, 2010. The number of ADSs that
will be outstanding immediately after this offering includes the 9,019,611 ADSs which were issued
to facilitate our convertible bond offering in January 2008. Such ADSs have been classified as
being excluded from shareholders equity for accounting purposes.
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(2)
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Calculated using 402,838,412 ordinary shares outstanding as of November 8, 2010. The number of
ordinary shares that will be outstanding immediately after this offering includes the 9,019,611
ADSs which were issued to facilitate our convertible bond offering in January 2008 and the
30,672,689 ordinary shares issued to Hanwha Solar in connection with Hanwha Solars purchase of
36,455,089 ordinary shares of our company, at par value of US$0.0001 per ordinary share, in
September 2010. Such ADSs and ordinary shares have been classified as being excluded from
shareholders equity for accounting purposes
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S-2
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
The following condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2009 has
been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by Ernst &
Young Hua Ming, an independent registered public accounting firm. The following condensed consolidated
statement of operation data for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010 and the
condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of September 30, 2010 have been derived from our unaudited
condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus supplement. We have
prepared the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements on the same basis as our audited
consolidated financial statements and in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). Results for the nine months
ended September 30, 2010 may not be indicative of our full year results for 2010 or for future
periods. See Operating and Financial Review and Prospects included in our annual report on Form
20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009 and filed with the SEC
on May 25, 2010 (as amended on June 29, 2010), incorporated by
reference into this prospectus supplement, for information regarding trends and other factors that
may influence our results of operations.
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Nine Months Ended September 30,
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|
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2009
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|
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2010
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|
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(RMB)
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|
(RMB)
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|
(US$)
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|
|
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Statement of
Operation Data
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
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|
Net revenues
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|
|
2,525,605
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|
|
|
5,414,289
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|
|
|
809,252
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Cost of revenues
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|
|
(2,324,795
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)
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|
|
(4,276,595
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)
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|
|
(639,204
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)
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit
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|
|
200,810
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|
|
|
1,137,694
|
|
|
|
170,048
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling expenses
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|
|
(59,340
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)
|
|
|
(112,914
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)
|
|
|
(16,877
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)
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General and administrative expenses
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|
|
(130,123
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)
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|
|
(135,835
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)
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|
(20,303
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)
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Research and development expenses
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|
|
(19,182
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)
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|
|
(38,878
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)
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|
|
(5,811
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
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|
|
(208,645
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)
|
|
|
(287,627
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)
|
|
|
(42,991
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)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (loss) profit
|
|
|
(7,835
|
)
|
|
|
850,067
|
|
|
|
127,057
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expenses
|
|
|
(118,245
|
)
|
|
|
(121,019
|
)
|
|
|
(18,088
|
)
|
Interest income
|
|
|
3,704
|
|
|
|
3,791
|
|
|
|
567
|
|
Exchange losses
|
|
|
(9,120
|
)
|
|
|
(53,049
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)
|
|
|
(7,929
|
)
|
Changes in fair value of
derivative contracts
|
|
|
(5,803
|
)
|
|
|
40,026
|
|
|
|
5,983
|
|
Changes in fair value of
conversion feature of convertible
bonds
|
|
|
(2,608
|
)
|
|
|
(223,968
|
)
|
|
|
(33,476
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)
|
Other income
|
|
|
5,021
|
|
|
|
17,290
|
|
|
|
2,584
|
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
(9,789
|
)
|
|
|
(3,771
|
)
|
|
|
(564
|
)
|
Government grants
|
|
|
5,661
|
|
|
|
26,229
|
|
|
|
3,920
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income before income taxes
|
|
|
(139,014
|
)
|
|
|
535,596
|
|
|
|
80,054
|
|
Income tax expenses
|
|
|
(16,590
|
)
|
|
|
(149,055
|
)
|
|
|
(22,279
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
|
(155,604
|
)
|
|
|
386,541
|
|
|
|
57,775
|
|
Net (income) attributable to
non-controlling interest
|
|
|
(244
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income attributable to
Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
shareholders
|
|
|
(155,848
|
)
|
|
|
386,541
|
|
|
|
57,775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income attributable to
Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
shareholders per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
(0.58
|
)
|
|
|
1.32
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
(0.58
|
)
|
|
|
1.32
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares used in
computation of net (loss) income
per share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
269,395,297
|
|
|
|
291,904,408
|
|
|
|
291,904,408
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
269,395,297
|
|
|
|
292,740,592
|
|
|
|
292,740,592
|
|
S-3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
|
As of
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(US$)
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
645,720
|
|
|
|
1,296,734
|
|
|
|
193,817
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
60,539
|
|
|
|
63,858
|
|
|
|
9,545
|
|
Accounts receivable net
|
|
|
587,488
|
|
|
|
1,289,932
|
|
|
|
192,800
|
|
Inventories net
|
|
|
783,973
|
|
|
|
689,566
|
|
|
|
103,066
|
|
Advance to suppliers net
|
|
|
979,762
|
|
|
|
1,246,336
|
|
|
|
186,284
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
180,315
|
|
|
|
236,285
|
|
|
|
35,318
|
|
Deferred tax assets net
|
|
|
63,115
|
|
|
|
75,734
|
|
|
|
11,320
|
|
Derivative contracts
|
|
|
7,360
|
|
|
|
1,910
|
|
|
|
285
|
|
Amount due from related parties
|
|
|
12,458
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fixed assets net
|
|
|
1,586,283
|
|
|
|
1,829,395
|
|
|
|
273,432
|
|
Intangible assets net
|
|
|
208,563
|
|
|
|
206,856
|
|
|
|
30,918
|
|
Deferred tax assets net
|
|
|
13,789
|
|
|
|
16,239
|
|
|
|
2,427
|
|
Long-term deferred expenses
|
|
|
33,158
|
|
|
|
29,639
|
|
|
|
4,430
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
134,735
|
|
|
|
134,735
|
|
|
|
20,138
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
5,297,258
|
|
|
|
7,117,219
|
|
|
|
1,063,780
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term bank borrowings
|
|
|
404,764
|
|
|
|
748,010
|
|
|
|
111,802
|
|
Long-term bank borrowings, current
portion
|
|
|
90,000
|
|
|
|
202,500
|
|
|
|
30,267
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
441,768
|
|
|
|
528,902
|
|
|
|
79,053
|
|
Notes payable
|
|
|
186,921
|
|
|
|
142,509
|
|
|
|
21,300
|
|
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
191,895
|
|
|
|
356,860
|
|
|
|
53,338
|
|
Customer deposits
|
|
|
59,685
|
|
|
|
127,498
|
|
|
|
19,057
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
766
|
|
|
|
115
|
|
Unrecognized tax benefit
|
|
|
27,385
|
|
|
|
27,385
|
|
|
|
4,093
|
|
Derivative contracts
|
|
|
1,148
|
|
|
|
70,605
|
|
|
|
10,553
|
|
Amount due to related parties
|
|
|
16,765
|
|
|
|
13,767
|
|
|
|
2,058
|
|
Long-term bank borrowings
|
|
|
380,000
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
29,893
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities
|
|
|
26,566
|
|
|
|
26,124
|
|
|
|
3,905
|
|
Convertible bonds
|
|
|
658,653
|
|
|
|
928,369
|
|
|
|
138,759
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
|
|
2,485,550
|
|
|
|
3,373,295
|
|
|
|
504,193
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redeemable ordinary shares (par
value US$0.0001 per share; 45,098,055
shares issued and
outstanding as of December 31, 2009
and September 30, 2010)
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total shareholders equity
|
|
|
2,811,653
|
|
|
|
3,743,869
|
|
|
|
559,579
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities, redeemable ordinary shares
and shareholders equity
|
|
|
5,297,258
|
|
|
|
7,117,219
|
|
|
|
1,063,780
|
|
S-4
The following table set forth a summary of our cash flows for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(RMB)
|
|
|
(US$)
|
|
|
|
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
|
|
Net cash provided by
operating activities
|
|
|
383,682
|
|
|
|
218,042
|
|
|
|
32,589
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(362,112
|
)
|
|
|
(363,243
|
)
|
|
|
(54,292
|
)
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
360,715
|
|
|
|
796,215
|
|
|
|
119,007
|
|
Net increase in cash and
cash equivalents
|
|
|
382,285
|
|
|
|
651,014
|
|
|
|
97,304
|
|
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009
Net Revenues
Our total net revenues increased to RMB5,414.3 million (US$809.3 million) in the nine months
ended September 30, 2010 from RMB2,525.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Our
net revenues derived from our PV module business (excluding PV module processing) increased to
RMB4,806.7 million (US$718.4 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from RMB2,222.5
million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, due primarily to the increase in our PV module
sales volume to 413.4MW in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from 134.5 MW in the nine
months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in our PV module sales volume was partially offset
by a decrease in the average selling price of our PV modules (excluding PV module processing) by
29.6% to RMB11.63 (US$1.74) per watt in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from RMB16.52 per watt in the nine
months ended September 30, 2009 in accordance with the changes in market prices of PV products. In
the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we derived 88.8% of our total net revenues from the sale
of PV modules, compared to 88.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Cost of Revenues and Gross Profit
Our cost of revenues increased by 84.0% to RMB4,276.6 million (US$639.2 million) in the nine
months ended September 30, 2010 from RMB2,324.8 million in the nine months ended September 30,
2009. In particular, the costs associated with PV module production increased by 81.3% to
RMB3,781.4 million (US$565.2 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from RMB2,085.2
million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, due primarily to an increase in our
expenditures on raw materials, which was caused by an increase in the sales volume of our PV
products. Our write-down of inventories decreased to RMB99.2 (US$14.8 million) in the nine months
ended September 30, 2010 from RMB242.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 which mainly represented the unqualified silicon materials down-grade and low-effeciency PV cells and PV modules.
As a result of the foregoing, our gross profit increased to RMB1,137.7 million (US$170.0
million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from RMB200.8 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 2009. Our gross profit margin increased to 21.0% in the nine months ended September
30, 2010 from 8.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily because we benefited from
a decreases in the unit costs of silicon, silicon wafers and other raw materials, which more than
offset the decrease in the average selling price of our PV products, and because we were able to
achieve higher operational efficiency and a higher utilization rate for our manufacturing
facilities.
Operating Expenses and Operating (Loss) Profit
Our operating expenses increased by 37.9% to RMB287.6 million (US$43.0 million) in the nine
months ended September 30, 2010 from RMB208.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Our operating expenses as a percentage of our total net revenues decreased to 5.3% in the nine
months ended September 30, 2010 from 8.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Our selling expenses primarily consist of warranty costs, marketing and promotional
expenses, and salaries, commissions, share-based compensation charges, traveling expenses and
benefits for our sales and marketing
S-5
personnel. Our selling expenses increased by 90.3% to RMB112.9 million (US$16.9 million) in
the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from RMB59.3 million in the nine months ended September
30, 2009, due primarily to an increase in warranty costs of RMB26.1 million (US$3.9 million), as a
result of the increase in our net revenues, and our additional marketing activities and hiring of
sales personnel in order to expand our customer base and geographic coverage. Selling expenses as a
percentage of our total net revenues decreased to 2.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010
from 2.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Our general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries and benefits of our
administrative staff, depreciation charges of fixed assets used for administrative purposes, as
well as administrative office expenses, including, among others, consumables, traveling expenses,
insurance and share compensation expenses for our administrative personnel. Our general and
administrative expenses increased by 4.4% to RMB135.8 million (US$20.3 million) in the nine months
ended September 30, 2010 from RMB130.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, due
primarily to an increase in professional fees we incurred in the nine months ended September 30,
2010. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of our total net revenues decreased to
2.5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from 5.2% in the nine months ended September 30,
2009.
Our research and development expenses primarily consist of materials used for research and
development purposes, salaries and benefits of our research and development staff, depreciation
charges, and travel expenses incurred by our research and development staff or otherwise in
connection with our research and development activities. Our research and development expenses
increased to RMB38.9 million (US$5.8 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from
RMB19.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase was primarily because we
hired additional research and development staff to conduct additional research and development
activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Research and development expenses as a
percentage of our total net revenues decreased to 0.7% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010
from 0.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
As a result of the foregoing, our operating profit was RMB850.1 million (US$127.1 million) in
the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to an operating loss of RMB7.8 million in the
nine months ended September 30, 2009. Our operating profit margin increased to 15.7% in the nine
months ended September 30, 2010 from a negative margin of 0.3% in the nine months ended September
30, 2009.
Interest Expenses, Exchange Losses, Other Income (Expenses), Changes in Fair Value of Derivative
Contracts, Changes in Fair Value of Conversion Feature of Convertible Bonds and Government Grants
We generated interest income of RMB3.8 million (US$0.6 million) and at the same time incurred
interest expenses of RMB121.0 million (US$18.1 million) in the nine months ended September 30,
2010, compared to interest income of RMB3.7 million and interest expenses of RMB118.2 million in
the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in interest expenses was due primarily to
our increased bank borrowings.
We incurred exchange losses of RMB53.0 million (US$7.9 million) in the nine months ended
September 30, 2010, compared to exchange losses of RMB9.1 million in the nine months ended
September 30, 2009, due primarily to the depreciation of the Euro against the Renminbi.
Our other income increased to RMB17.3 million (US$2.6 million) in the nine months ended
September 30, 2010 from RMB5.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, due primarily
to an increase in sales of scrap materials as we expanded our operations. Our other expenses
decreased to RMB3.8 million (US$0.6 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from
RMB9.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily because a decrease in bank
charges.
We recorded an increase of RMB40.0 million (US$6.0 million) in changes in fair value of
derivative contracts to reflect the realized and unrealized net gain arising from the changes of
fair value of our foreign currency derivative instruments in the nine months ended September 30,
2010.
We recorded a decrease of RMB224.0million (US$33.5 million) in changes in fair value of
conversion feature of convertible bonds in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as a result of
changes in our ADS price.
S-6
Our government grants increased to RMB26.2 million (US$3.9 million) in the nine months ended
September 30, 2010 from RMB5.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily
because we received unconditional government grants from various government entities in the nine months ended
September 30, 2010.
Income Tax Expenses
Our income tax expenses increased to RMB149.1 million (US$22.3 million) in the nine months
ended September 30, 2010 from RMB16.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, due
primarily to the increase in our taxable income. In addition, Jiangsu Linyang Solarfun Co., Ltd.,
our operating subsidiary in China, is subject to an income tax rate of 15% starting from January 1,
2010, compared to 12.5% in the year ended December 31, 2009.
Consolidated Net (Loss) Income
As a result of the cumulative effect of the above factors, we had consolidated net income of
RMB386.5 million (US$57.8 million) in the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to a loss
of RMB155.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Our net profit margin increased to
7.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from a negative margin of 6.2% in the nine months
ended September 30, 2009.
Liquidity and Financial Resources
Our net cash provided by operating activities was RMB218.0 million (US$32.6 million) in the
nine months ended September 30, 2010, which was derived from consolidated net income of RMB386.5
million (US$57.8 million), adjusted to reflect a net increase relating to non-cash items and a net
decrease relating to changes in operating assets and liabilities. The adjustments relating to
non-cash items were primarily comprised of an increase in changes in fair value of conversion
feature of convertible bonds of RMB224.0 million (US$33.5 million), depreciation and amortization
of RMB136.1 million (US$20.3 million), write-down of inventories of RMB99.2 million (US$14.8
million) and unrealized loss from derivative contracts of RMB74.9 million (US$11.2 million). The
adjustments relating to changes in operating assets and liabilities, which resulted in a net
decrease of RMB814.3 million (US$121.7 million), were primarily comprised of:
|
|
|
an increase of RMB703.2 million (US$105.1 million) in accounts receivable, primarily as
a result of the increase in our net revenues and because we granted our customers longer
credit terms to enhance the competitiveness of our PV products;
|
|
|
|
|
an increase of RMB266.7 million (US$39.9 million) in advance to suppliers primarily as a
result of increased prepayments to our suppliers for purchases of silicon-related
materials;
|
|
|
|
|
an increase of RMB116.7 million (US$17.4 million) in accrued expenses and other
liabilities, primarily due to an increase in income tax payables, as a result of the
increase in our taxable income, and warranty costs, as a result of the increase in our net
revenues; and
|
|
|
|
|
an increase of RMB114.5 million (US$17.1 million) in other current assets, primarily
because the increase of tax recoverables in relation to the export tax rebates.
|
Our net cash used in investing activities was RMB363.2 million (US$54.3 million) in the nine
months ended September 30, 2010, primarily consisting of RMB355.0 million (US$53.1 million) of cash
used for the acquisition of fixed assets, primarily our manufacturing machinery and equipment.
Our net cash provided by financing activities was RMB796.2 million (US$119.0 million) in the
nine months ended September 30, 2010. This was mainly attributable to proceeds from short-term bank
borrowings of RMB1,066.2 million (US$159.4 million) and proceeds from our issuance of ordinary
shares of RMB510.3 million (US$76.3 million), partially offset by our payments of short-term bank
borrowings of RMB723.0 million (US$108.1 million).
As of September 30, 2010, we had outstanding short-term bank borrowings of RMB748.0 million
(US$111.8 million), which bore an average interest rate of 4.48% per annum. These short-term bank
borrowings have terms of one month to one year.
S-7
As of September 30, 2010, we had outstanding long-term bank borrowings of RMB402.5 million
(US$60.2 million), of which the current portion amounted to RMB202.5 million (US$30.3 million),
which will be due from December 29, 2010 to September 29, 2011, and the non-current portion
amounted to RMB200.0 million (US$29.9 million), which will be due from December 26, 2011 to
September 13, 2012. Our long-term bank borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 2010 bore an
average interest rate of 5.51% per annum.
As of September 30, 2010, we had RMB1,155.8 million (US$172.5 million) principal amount of
2018 convertible bonds outstanding. The holders of the 2018 convertible bonds have the right to
require us to repurchase all or a portion of their bonds on January 15, 2015 at a repurchase price
equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any.
In addition, as of September 30, 2010, we had amount due to related parties of RMB13.8
million (US$2.1 million), consisting of RMB9.3 million (US$1.4 million) due to Ya An Yongwang
Silicon Co., Ltd., in which our largest shareholder Hanwha Solar holds a 49.99% equity interest, in
relation to our purchase of polysilicon, and RMB4.4 million (US$0.7 million) due to SMIC Energy
Technology (Shanghai), a wholly owned subsidiary of SMIC, a company where David N.K. Wang, our
independent director, serves as president and chief executive officer, in relation to lease and
service payments.
As of September 30, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents in the amount of RMB1,296.7 million
(US$193.8 million). Our cash and cash equivalents primarily consist of cash on hand, demand
deposits and liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less that are placed
with banks and other financial institutions.
Strategic Investment by Hanwha Solar
We entered into a share purchase agreement on August 3, 2010 with Hanwha Chemical Corporation,
or Hanwha Chemical, a leading global chemical company headquartered in Korea, under which Hanwha
Chemical agreed to purchase 36,455,089 ordinary shares from us at a price of US$2.144 per ordinary
share, which corresponds to a price of US$10.72 per ADS. Hanwha Chemical subsequently assigned and
transferred its rights and obligations under the share purchase agreement to Hanwha Solar Holdings Co., Ltd., or Hanwha Solar, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Hanwha Chemical and the sale and purchase of these ordinary shares was
consummated on September 16, 2010. In addition, we entered into a share issuance and repurchase
agreement on September 16, 2010 with Hanwha Solar, under which we agreed to issue to Hanwha Solar a
total of 45,080,019 ordinary shares at par value of US$0.0001 per ordinary share, which shares
shall remain outstanding so long as and to the extent that the 9,019,611 ADSs we issued to
facilitate our convertible bond offering in January 2008 remain outstanding. Pursuant to the share
issuance and repurchase agreement, we issued to Hanwha Solar 30,672,689 ordinary shares on
September 16, 2010 and an additional 14,407,330 ordinary shares
are expected to be issued to Hanwha Solar at par value upon
obtaining shareholder approval for this issuance. The total proceeds to us from these transactions
amounted to approximately US$78 million. At the same time, Hanwha Solar completed the acquisitions
from Good Energies II LP and Yonghua Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd. of a total of
120,407,700 ordinary shares and 1,281,011 ADSs of our company, representing all of the ordinary
shares and ADSs held by them. As a result of these transactions, Hanwha
Solar owns a 49.99% equity interest in our company, taking into account the previously agreed issuance of an
additional 14,407,330 ordinary shares to Hanwha Solar at par value.
In connection with the share issuance to Hanwha Solar, we and Hanwha Solar entered into a
shareholder agreement on September 16, 2010 that provides for certain rights for Hanwha Solar,
including:
|
|
|
Registration rights, see Description of Share Capital Registration Rights;
|
|
|
|
|
A preemptive right to acquire additional ordinary shares of our company;
|
|
|
|
|
A right to designate three directors, including one director to serve on our nominating
committee; and
|
|
|
|
|
A right to veto major corporate actions, including the amendment of our memorandum and
articles of association, declaration of dividends and liquidation.
|
S-8
Pursuant to the shareholder agreement, Hanwha Solar agreed not to commence an offer to acquire
control of a majority of our company during a one-year period starting from September 16, 2010.
Hanwha Solar has also agreed to be subject to a lock-up arrangement. See Description of Share
Capital Lock-Up.
Changes in Board of Directors
In connection with the investment by Hanwha Solar, effective September 16, 2010, Mr. Yonghua
Lu and Mr. John Breckenridge resigned as directors and Mr. Terry McCarthy and Professor Rongqiang
Cui resigned as independent directors of our company. On the same date, three designees of Hanwha
Solar, Mr. Ki-Joon Hong, Mr. Dong Kwan Kim and Mr. Wook Jin Yoon, were appointed as directors of
our company.
S-9
RISK FACTORS
You should consider carefully the following factors, as well as the other information set
forth in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in the documents incorporated
by reference in this prospectus supplement before making an investment decision. Some of the
following risks relate principally to the industry in which we operate and our business in general.
Other risks relate principally to the securities market and ownership of our ADSs. Any of the risk
factors could significantly and negatively affect our business, financial condition or operating
results and the trading price of our ADSs. You could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Related to Our Company and Our Industry
Demand for our PV products has been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by volatile market
and industry trend.
Demand for our PV products has been affected by global economic conditions, capital markets
fluctuations and credit disruptions. During the second half of 2008 and the first half of 2009,
many of our key markets, including Germany, Spain and the United States, and other national
economies experienced a period of economic contraction or significantly slower economic growth. The
global financial crisis, weak consumer confidence and diminished consumer and business spending
have contributed to a significant slowdown in the market demand for PV products due to decreased
energy requirements. In addition, many of our customers and many end-users of our PV products
depend on debt financing to fund the initial capital expenditure required to purchase our PV
products. During the global credit crisis, many of our customers and many end-users of our PV
products experienced difficulties in obtaining financing, and even if they were able to obtain
financing, the cost of such financing had increased such that they changed their decision or
changed the timing of their decision to purchase our PV products. There can be no assurance that
our customers or end-users will be able to obtain financing on a timely basis or on reasonable
terms, which could have a negative impact on their demand for our products. Rising interest rates
may make it difficult for end-users to finance the cost of PV systems and therefore reduce the
demand for our PV products and/or lead to a reduction in the average selling price of our PV
products. A protracted disruption in the ability of our customers to obtain financing could lead to
a significant reduction in future orders for our PV products, which in turn could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The average selling price of our PV products may continue to decrease.
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008, demand for PV products had decreased, but the supply
of PV products has increased significantly as many manufacturers of PV products worldwide,
including our company, have engaged in significant production capacity expansion in recent years.
As a result, this state of over supply has resulted in reductions in the prevailing market prices
of PV products as manufacturers have reduced their average selling prices in an attempt to obtain
sales. The average selling price of our PV modules per watt decreased from RMB28.20 in 2007 to
RMB26.77 in 2008 and to RMB15.27 in 2009. The average selling price of our PV modules (excluding PV
module processing) in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was RMB11.63 (US$1.73) per watt.
Our net profit margin decreased from a positive margin of 6.2% in 2007 to a negative margin of 5.7%
in 2008 and to a negative margin of 3.8% in 2009. Our net profit margin in the nine months ended
September 30, 2010 was 7.1%. The average selling prices of our
PV products may decline further, which could cause our sales and/or our profit
margins to decline and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results
of operations and prospects.
As silicon supply increases, the corresponding increase in the global supply of PV modules may
adversely affect our ability to increase our maintain market share.
Silicon is an essential raw material used in the production of solar cells and modules. Prior
to mid-2008, there was an industry-wide shortage of silicon. Increases in the price of silicon have
in the past increased our production costs, and any significant price increase in the future may
adversely impact our business and results of operations. Due to the historical scarcity of silicon,
supply chain management and financial strength were the key barriers to entry. In late 2008 and
2009, however, newly available silicon capacity has resulted in an increased supply of silicon,
which resulted in downward pressure on the price of silicon. However, we cannot assure you that the
price of silicon will continue to decline or remain at its current levels, especially if the global
solar power market regains its growth momentum. As the shortage of silicon eases, industry barriers
to entry become less significant and the PV market may become more competitive. If we fail to
compete successfully,
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our business may suffer and we may lose or be unable to gain market share and our financial
condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. Such price reductions
could have a negative impact on our revenues and net income, and materially and adversely affect
our business and results of operations.
The reduction or elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives for on-grid solar
energy applications could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects.
We believe that the near-term growth of the market for on-grid applications, where solar
energy is used to supplement a customers electricity purchased from the electric utility, depends
in large part on the availability and size of government subsidies and economic incentives. As a
portion of our sales is in the on-grid market, the reduction or elimination of government subsidies
and economic incentives may hinder the growth of this market or result in increased price
competition, which could decrease demand for our products and reduce our revenue.
The cost of solar energy currently exceeds the cost of power furnished by the electric utility
grid in many countries. As a result, federal, state and local governmental bodies in many
countries, most notably Germany, Spain, Italy, the United States, Australia, Korea, France and the
Czech Republic, have provided subsidies and economic incentives in the form of rebates, tax credits
and other incentives to end users, distributors, system integrators and manufacturers of PV
products to promote the use of solar energy in on-grid applications and to reduce dependency on
other forms of energy. Certain of these government economic incentives are set to be reduced and
may be reduced further, or eliminated. For instance, in 2009, the German government reduced solar
feed-in tariffs by 9%. In July 2010, the government of Germany reduced feed-in tariffs for rooftop
installations, ground-mounted installations on commercial land and ground-mounted installations on
converted land by 13%, 12% and 8%, respectively. Beginning in October 2010, each category of
feed-in tariff will be reduced by a further 3%. Installations on agricultural land are ineligible
for incentives. In 2007, 2008, 2009 and the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Germany accounted
for 49.9%, 53.3%, 70.6% and 65.3% of our net revenues, respectively. In addition, political changes
in a particular country could result in significant reductions or eliminations of subsidies or
economic incentives. Electric utility companies that have significant political lobbying powers may
also seek changes in the relevant legislation in their markets that may adversely affect the
development and commercial acceptance of solar energy. The reduction or elimination of government
subsidies and economic incentives for on-grid solar energy applications, especially those in our
target markets, could cause demand for our products and our net revenues to decline, and have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Our ability to adjust our raw material costs may be limited as a result of our entering into
multi-year supply agreements with many of our silicon and silicon wafer suppliers, and it may be
difficult for us to respond in a timely manner to rapidly changing market conditions, which could
materially and adversely affect our cost of revenues and profitability.
Prior to mid-2008, there was an industry-wide shortage of silicon-related materials including
silicon, silicon wafers and PV cells, which resulted in significant increases in the prices of
these raw materials. To secure an adequate and timely supply of silicon-related materials during
the earlier periods of supply shortage, we entered into a number of multi-year supply agreements.
The prices in these agreements were generally pre-determined, but some of these agreements provided
for adjustments in subsequent years to reflect changes in market conditions or through mutual
agreement. Since the fourth quarter of 2008, the market prices for silicon-related materials have
been decreasing significantly. Spot market prices of silicon-related materials have fallen below
the prices we have contracted for with our long-term suppliers and continued to decline in 2009.
The rapid declines in the prices of silicon-related materials coupled with decreases in demand for
PV products have hampered our ability to pass on to our customers the cost of our raw materials
which were procured at higher prices during the earlier periods of supply shortage. Our write-down
of inventories increased from RMB0.8 million in 2007 to
RMB413.8 million in 2008, then decreased to RMB282.6
million in 2009. Our inventory write-downs amounted to RMB99.2 million (US$14.8 million) in the
nine months ended September 30, 2010.
Due to the significant decrease in prices of silicon-related materials, we re-negotiated most
of our existing multi-year supply agreements. Currently, the pricing terms of these multi-year
agreements are generally subject to review either periodically or upon significant changes in
prices on the spot market. While we have obtained reduced prices and other concessions from our
suppliers, we cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain reduced prices from all of our
suppliers in the future. If the prices of silicon-related materials continue to decrease in the
future and we are unable to re-negotiate the prices of our existing multi-year supply agreements,
we may not be able to adjust our materials costs, and our cost of revenues could be materially and
adversely
S-11
affected. In addition, the prices of our other raw materials are also subject to market forces
beyond our control. If the prices of these materials increase in the future, our cost of revenues
could be materially and adversely affected.
Furthermore, other PV module manufacturers may be able to purchase silicon-related materials
on the spot market at lower prices than those we have contracted for with our suppliers. We expect
our commitments in connection with our multi-year supply agreements will continue to be
significant. In the event we are unable to re-negotiate or fulfill our obligations under our supply
agreements, we may be subject to significant inventory build-up and may be required to make further
inventory write-downs and provision for these commitments, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. If the prices we
pay for silicon-related materials are significantly higher than the prices paid by our competitors,
our competitive cost advantage of producing modules could decrease. Our inability to reduce a key
manufacturing cost to the same degree as our competitors could adversely affect our ability to
price our products competitively and our profit margins.
We may be subject to legal, administrative or other proceedings in connection with the multi-year
supply agreements we entered into previously and such proceedings can be both costly and time
consuming and may significantly divert the efforts and resources of our management personnel.
During the course of renegotiation of some of the multi-year supply agreements we entered into
previously, we may be subject to legal, administrative or other proceedings if mutual agreement
cannot be reached between us and our suppliers. For example, on June 8, 2009, Jiangxi LDK Solar
Hi-Tech Co., Ltd., or LDK, one of our suppliers of silicon wafers, submitted an arbitration request
to the Shanghai Arbitration Commission, alleging that we had failed to perform under the terms of a
long-term supply agreement of contract value of approximately RMB800 million, seeking to enforce
our performance and claiming for monetary relief. We are in arbitration with respect to the alleged
breaches and expect the arbitration to be concluded by the end of 2010. There is no assurance
that we will be able to successfully defend or resolve such legal or administrative proceedings in
the near future or at all. Such legal and administrative proceedings can be both costly and time
consuming and may significantly divert the efforts and resources of our management personnel. If
there is any adverse judgments, our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could
be materially and adversely affected.
Prepayments we have provided to our silicon and silicon wafer suppliers expose us to the credit
risks of such suppliers and may increase our costs and expenses, which could in turn have a
material adverse effect on our liquidity.
Most of our multi-year supply agreements that we entered into during the earlier periods of
supply shortage required us to make prepayments of a portion of the total contract price to our
suppliers without receiving collateral for such prepayments. As of December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009
and September 30, 2010, we had advanced RMB640.1 million, RMB1,145.6 million, RMB979.8 million and
RMB1,246.3 million (US$186.3 million), respectively, to our suppliers. In 2008, 2009 and the nine
months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded a provision of RMB42.0 million, RMB234.7 million and
RMB0.1 million (US$0.01 million), respectively, for doubtful collection of advances to suppliers
due to non-performance by some of our suppliers, which resulted in the prepayments we made to these
suppliers being categorized as unrecoverable. Our claims for such payments are unsecured claims,
which expose us to the credit risks of our suppliers in the event of their insolvency or
bankruptcy. Our claims against the defaulting suppliers would rank below those of secured
creditors, which would undermine our chances of obtaining the return of our prepayments. If such
suppliers fail to fulfill their delivery obligations under the contracts, our financial condition,
results of operations and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected.
Evaluating our business and prospects may be difficult because of our limited operating history,
and our past results may not be indicative of our future performance.
There is limited historical information available about our company upon which you can base
your evaluation of our business and prospects. We began operations in August 2004 and shipped our
first PV modules and our first PV cells in February 2005 and November 2005, respectively. With the
rapid growth of the PV industry prior to the fourth quarter of 2008, our business has grown and
evolved at a rapid rate. As a result, our historical operating results may not provide a meaningful
basis for evaluating our business, financial performance and prospects and we may not be able to
achieve a similar growth rate in future periods, particularly in light of the significant economic
volatility in recent months in our target markets. Therefore, you
S-12
should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks, expenses and challenges that
we will face as a company with a relatively short operating history in a competitive industry
seeking to develop and manufacture new products in a rapidly growing market, and you should not
rely on our past results or our historic rate of growth as an indication of our future performance.
Our future success substantially depends on our ability to manage our production effectively and to
reduce our manufacturing costs. Our ability to achieve such goals is subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties.
Our future success depends on our ability to manage our production and facilities effectively
and to reduce our manufacturing costs. Our efforts to reduce our manufacturing costs include
lowering our silicon and auxiliary material costs, improving manufacturing productivity and
processes, and improving product quality. If we are unable to achieve these goals, we may be unable
to decrease our costs per watt, to maintain our competitive position or to improve our
profitability. Our ability to achieve such goals is subject to significant risks and uncertainties,
including:
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our ability to re-negotiate our existing multi-year supply agreements;
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our ability to maintain our quality level and keep pace with changes in technology;
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our ability to adjust inventory levels to respond to rapidly changing market demand;
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delays in obtaining or denial of required approvals by relevant government authorities;
and
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diversion of significant management attention and other resources to other matters.
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If we are unable to establish or successfully make improvements to our manufacturing
facilities or to reduce our manufacturing costs, or if we encounter any of the risks described
above, we may be unable to improve our business as planned.
We depend on a limited number of customers for a high percentage of our revenue and the loss of, or
a significant reduction in orders from, any of these customers, if not immediately replaced, would
significantly reduce our revenue and decrease our profitability.
We currently sell a substantial portion of our PV products to a limited number of customers.
Our five largest customers accounted for an aggregate of 43.0%, 53.2%, 65.7% and 56.9% of our net
revenues in 2007, 2008, 2009 and the nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. Our
largest customer in 2007, 2008, 2009 and the nine months ended September 30, 2010 accounted for
12.6%, 22.2%, 40.6% and 37.3% of our net revenues of the respective period. Most of our large
customers are located in Europe, particularly in Germany, Italy,
Portugal and the Czech Republic. The
loss of sales to any one of these customers would have a significant negative impact on our
business. Sales to our customers are mostly made through non-exclusive arrangements. Due to our
dependence on a limited number of customers, any one of the following events may cause material
fluctuations or declines in our revenue and have a material adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations:
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reduction, delay or cancellation of orders from one or more of our significant
customers;
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selection by one or more of our significant distributor customers of our competitors
products;
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loss of one or more of our significant customers and our failure to identify additional
or replacement customers;
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any adverse change in the bilateral or multilateral trade relationships between China
and European countries, particularly Germany; and
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failure of any of our significant customers to make timely payment for our products.
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We expect our operating results to continue to depend on sales to a relatively small number of
customers for a high percentage of our revenue for the foreseeable future, as well as the ability
of these customers to sell PV products that incorporate our PV products.
S-13
We enter into framework agreements with many of our customers that set forth our customers
purchase goals and the general conditions under which our sales are to be made. However, such
framework agreements are only binding to the extent a purchase order for a specific amount of our
products is issued. In addition, certain key sales terms of the framework agreements may be
adjusted from time to time. In addition, we have in the past had to re-negotiate some of our
framework agreements due to the disagreements with our customers relating to the volumes, delivery
schedules and pricing terms contained in such agreements. However, it may not always be in our best
interests to re-negotiate our framework agreements and disagreements on terms may escalate into
formal disputes that could cause us to experience order cancellations or harm our reputation.
Furthermore, our customer relationships have been developed over a short period of time. We
cannot be certain that these customers will generate significant revenue for us in the future or if
these customer relationships will continue to develop. If our relationships with customers do not
continue to develop, we may not be able to expand our customer base or maintain or increase our
customers and revenue.
Our dependence on a limited number of suppliers for a substantial majority of silicon-related
materials may prevent us from delivering our products in a timely manner to our customers in the
required quantities, which could result in order cancellations, decreased revenue and loss of
market share.
In 2007, 2008, 2009 and the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our five largest suppliers
supplied in the aggregate 59.0%, 42.0%, 51.6% and 56.5%, respectively, of our total silicon and
silicon wafer purchases. If we fail to develop or maintain our relationships with these or our
other suppliers and we are unable to obtain these materials from alternative sources in a timely
manner or on commercially reasonable terms, we may be unable to manufacture our products, in a
timely manner or at a reasonable cost, or at all, and as a result, we may not be able to deliver
our products to our customers in the required quantities, at competitive prices and on acceptable
terms of delivery. Problems of this kind could cause us to experience order cancellations,
increased manufacturing costs, decreased revenue and loss of market share. In addition, some of our
suppliers have a limited operating history and limited financial resources, and the contracts we
entered into with these suppliers do not clearly provide for adequate remedies to us in the event
any of these suppliers is not able to, or otherwise does not, deliver, in a timely manner or at
all, any materials it is contractually obligated to deliver. Some of our major silicon wafer
suppliers failed to fully perform on their silicon wafer supply commitments to us where there was
an industry-wide shortage of silicon and silicon wafers. As a result, we did not receive all of the
contractually agreed quantities of silicon wafers from these suppliers. We cannot assure you that
we will not experience similar or additional shortfalls of silicon-related materials from our
suppliers in the future or that, in the event of such shortfalls, we will be able to find other
silicon suppliers to satisfy our production needs. Any disruption in the supply of silicon wafers
to us may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our failure to obtain sufficient quantities of silicon-related materials in a timely manner could
disrupt our operations, prevent us from operating at full capacity or limit our ability to expand
as planned, which would reduce, and limit the growth of, our manufacturing output and revenue.
We depend on the timely delivery by our suppliers of silicon-related materials in sufficient
volumes. Until mid-2008, there was an industry-wide shortage of silicon-related materials. While we
do not believe a similar industry-wide shortage of silicon-related materials will re-occur in the
short term because of current market conditions and the expansion of silicon and silicon wafer
manufacturing capacity in recent years, we cannot assure you that market conditions will not again
rapidly change or we will always obtain sufficient quantities of silicon-related materials in a
timely manner. We may experience actual shortages of silicon-related materials or late or failed
delivery for the following reasons:
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the terms of our silicon and silicon wafer contracts with, or purchase orders to, our
suppliers may be altered or cancelled as a result of our ongoing re-negotiations with them;
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there are a limited number of silicon and silicon wafer suppliers, and many of our
competitors also purchase silicon-related materials from these suppliers and may have
longer and stronger relationship with these suppliers than we do;
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some of our silicon and silicon wafer suppliers do not manufacture silicon themselves,
but instead purchase their requirements from other vendors. It is possible that these
suppliers will not be able to obtain sufficient silicon or silicon wafers to satisfy their
contractual obligations to us; and
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our purchase of silicon-related materials is subject to the business risk of our
suppliers, one or more of which may go out of business for any one of a number of reasons
beyond our control in the current economic environment.
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If we fail to obtain delivery of silicon-related materials in amounts and according to time
schedules that we expect, we may be forced to reduce production, which will adversely affect our
revenues. Our failure to obtain the required amounts of silicon-related materials on time and at
commercially reasonable prices could substantially limit our ability to meet our contractual
obligations to deliver PV products to our customers. Any failure by us to meet such obligations
could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, retention of customers, market share,
business and results of operations and may subject us to claims from our customers and other
disputes.
We currently have a significant amount of debt outstanding. Our substantial indebtedness may limit
our future financing capabilities and could adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
The principal amount of our total bank borrowings outstanding was RMB874.8 million and
RMB1,150.5 million (US$172.0 million) as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, respectively,
of which RMB404.8 million and RMB748.0 million (US$111.8 million), respectively, was short-term
bank borrowings. In addition, we had US$172.5 million principal amount of convertible bonds, with
fair value of RMB658.7 million and RMB928.4 million (US$138.8 million), outstanding as of December
31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, respectively. Our debt could have a significant impact on our
future operations and cash flow, including:
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making it more difficult for us to fulfill payment and other obligations under our
outstanding debt, including repayment of our long- and short-term credit facilities should
we be unable to obtain extensions for any such facilities before they mature, as well as
our obligations under our convertible bonds;
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triggering an event of default if we fail to comply with any of our payment or other
obligations contained in our debt agreements, which could result in cross-defaults causing
all or a substantial portion of our debt to become immediately due and payable;
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reducing the availability of cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures,
acquisitions and other general corporate purposes, and adversely affecting our ability to
obtain additional financing for these purposes;
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potentially increasing the cost of any additional financing; and
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putting pressure on our ADS price due to concerns of our inability to repay our debt and
making it more difficult for us to conduct equity financings in the capital markets.
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Our ability to meet our payment and other obligations under our outstanding debt depends on
our ability to generate cash flow in the future or to refinance such debt. We may not be able to
generate sufficient cash flow from operations to enable us to meet our obligations under our
outstanding debt and to fund other liquidity needs. If we are not able to generate sufficient cash
flow to meet such obligations, we may need to refinance or restructure our debt, to sell our
assets, to reduce or delay our capital investments, or to seek additional equity or debt financing.
We cannot assure you that future financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to
us, if at all. In addition, the incurrence of additional indebtedness would result in increased
interest rate risk and debt service obligations, and could result in operating and financing
covenants that would further restrict our operations and limit our ability to obtain the financing
required to fund future capital expenditures and working capital. As a result, our ability to plan
for, or react effectively to, changing market conditions may be adversely and materially affected.
We require a significant amount of cash to fund our operations as well as meet future capital
requirements. If we cannot obtain additional capital when we need it, our growth prospects and
future profitability may be materially and adversely affected.
S-15
We typically require a significant amount of cash to fund our operations. We also require cash
generally to meet future capital requirements, which are difficult to plan in the rapidly changing
PV industry. The principal
amount of our total bank borrowings outstanding was RMB874.8 million and RMB1,150.5 million
(US$172.0 million) as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, respectively. We cannot assure
you that future financing will be available on satisfactory terms, or at all. Our ability to obtain
external financing in the future is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:
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our future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows;
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general market conditions for financing activities by manufacturers of PV and related
products; and
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economic, political and other conditions in the PRC and elsewhere in the world.
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If we are unable to obtain necessary financing in a timely manner or on commercially
acceptable terms, or at all, our growth prospects and future profitability may decrease materially.
We face risks associated with the marketing, distribution and sale of our PV products
internationally, and if we are unable to effectively manage these risks, our expansion may be
materially and adversely affected.
A substantial majority of our revenue has been generated by sales to customers outside of
China. The marketing, distribution and sale of our PV products overseas expose us to a number of
risks, including:
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fluctuations in currency exchange rates of the U.S. dollar, Euro and other foreign
currencies against the Renminbi;
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difficulty in engaging and retaining distributors and agents who are knowledgeable
about, and can function effectively in, overseas markets;
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increased costs associated with maintaining marketing and sales activities in various
countries;
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difficulty and costs relating to compliance with different commercial and legal
requirements in the jurisdictions in which we offer our products;
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inability to obtain, maintain or enforce intellectual property rights; and
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trade barriers, such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and other restrictions and
expenses, which could increase the prices of our products and make us less competitive in
some countries.
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If we are unable to effectively manage these risks, our ability to conduct or expand our
business abroad would be impaired, which may in turn have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Changes in international trade policies and international barriers to trade may adversely affect
our ability to export our products worldwide.
As our manufacturing facility and some of our customers are located in China, we and our
customers may be affected by any claims of unfair trade practices that are brought against the PRC
government through the imposition of tariffs, non-tariff barriers to trade or other trade remedies.
On September 9, 2010, the United Steel Workers filed a petition with the United States Trade
Representative, or USTR, alleging the PRC government has engaged in unfair trade policies and
practices with respect to certain domestic industries, including the solar power industry.
Subsequently, USTR initiated an investigation under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, which is
ongoing as of the date of this prospectus. Although we believe we will not be directly affected by
the results of this investigation, there can be no assurance that any government or international
trade body will not institute adverse trade policies or remedies against exports from China in the
future. Any significant changes in international trade policies, practices or trade remedies,
especially those instituted in our target markets or markets where our major customers are located,
could increase the price of our products compared to our competitors or decrease our customers
demand for our products, which may adversely affect our business prospects and results of
operations.
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If we are unable to compete in the highly competitive PV market, our revenue and profits may
decrease and we may lose market share.
The PV market is very competitive. We face competition from a number of PV manufacturers,
including domestic, foreign and multinational corporations. We believe that the principal
competitive factors in the markets for our products are:
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manufacturing capacity;
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power efficiency;
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product offerings and quality of products;
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price;
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strength of supply chain and distribution network;
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after-sales services; and
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brand name recognition.
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Many of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories, access to
larger customer bases and resources and significantly greater economies of scale than we do. In
particular, many of our competitors are developing and manufacturing solar energy products based on
new technologies that may ultimately have costs similar to, or lower than, our projected costs. In
addition, our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to changing customer demands or
devote more resources to the development, promotion and sales of their products than we can.
Furthermore, competitors with more diversified product offerings may be better positioned to
withstand a decline in the demand for PV products. Some of our competitors have also become
vertically integrated, with businesses ranging from upstream silicon wafer manufacturing to solar
power system integration. It is possible that new competitors or alliances among existing
competitors could emerge and rapidly acquire significant market share, which would harm our
business. For instance, several semiconductor manufacturers have already announced their intention
to commence production of PV cells and PV modules. If we fail to compete successfully, our business
would suffer and we may lose or be unable to gain market share and our financial condition and
results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, the PV market in general competes with other sources of renewable energy as well
as conventional power generation. If prices for conventional and other renewable energy resources
decline, or if these resources enjoy greater policy support than solar power, the PV market and our
business and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
Our profitability depends on our ability to respond to rapid market changes in the PV industry,
including by developing new technologies and offering additional products and services.
The PV industry is characterized by rapid changes in the diversity and complexity of
technologies, products and services. In particular, the ongoing evolution of technological
standards requires products with improved features, such as more efficient and higher power output
and improved aesthetics. As a result, we expect that we will need to develop, or obtain access to,
advances in technologies on a continuous basis in order for us to respond to competitive market
conditions and customer demands. In addition, advances in technologies typically lead to declining
average selling prices for products using older technologies or make our current products less
competitive or obsolete. As a result, the profitability of any given product, and our overall
profitability, may decrease over time.
In addition, we will need to invest significant financial resources in research and
development to maintain our competitiveness and keep pace with technological advances in the PV
industry. However, commercial acceptance by customers of new products we offer may not occur at the
rate or level expected, and we may not be able to successfully adapt existing products to
effectively and economically meet customer demands, thus impairing the return from our investments.
We may also be required under the applicable accounting standards to recognize a charge for the
impairment of assets to the extent our existing products become uncompetitive or
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obsolete, or if any new products fail to achieve commercial acceptance. Any such charge may
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Moreover, in response to the rapidly evolving conditions in the PV industry, we started to
expand our business downstream to provide system integration products and services in 2010. This
expansion requires significant investment and management attention from us, and we are likely to
face intense competition from companies that have extensive experience and well-established
businesses and customer bases in the system integration sector. We cannot assure you that we will
succeed in expanding our business downstream. If we are not able to bring quality products and
services to market in a timely and cost-effective manner and successfully market and sell these
products and services, our ability to continue penetrating the PV market, as well as our results of
operations and profitability, will be materially and adversely affected.
Our future success also depends on our ability to make strategic acquisitions and investments and
to establish and maintain strategic alliances, and failure to do so could have a material adverse
effect on our market penetration, revenue growth and profitability. In addition, such strategic
acquisitions, alliances and investments themselves entail significant risks that could materially
and adversely affect our business.
We are pursuing expansion into PV system integration services through our subsidiary, Shanghai
Linyang Solar Technology Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Linyang, and we may pursue upstream silicon
feedstock sourcing through strategic partnerships and investments in the future. We may also
establish strategic alliances with third parties in the PV industry to develop new technologies and
to expand our marketing channels. These types of transactions could require that our management
develop expertise in new areas, make significant investments in research and development, manage
new business relationships and attract new types of customers. They may also require significant
attention from our management, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to manage
our business. We may also experience difficulties integrating acquisitions and investments into our
existing business and operations and retaining key technical and managerial personnel of acquired
companies.
Strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances with third parties may be expensive to
implement and could subject us to a number of risks, including risks associated with sharing
proprietary information and loss of control of operations that are material to our business. We may
assume unknown liabilities or other unanticipated events or circumstances through acquisitions and
investments. Moreover, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances subject us to the risk of
non-performance by a counterparty, which may in turn lead to monetary losses that materially and
adversely affect our business. As a result, we may not be able to successfully make such strategic
acquisitions and investments or to establish strategic alliances with third parties that will prove
to be effective or beneficial for our business. Any difficulty we face in this regard could have a
material adverse effect on our market penetration, results of operations and profitability.
Problems with product quality or product performance could result in a decrease in customers and
revenue, unexpected expenses and loss of market share. In addition, product liability claims
against us could result in adverse publicity and potentially significant monetary damages.
Our PV products are typically sold with a two to five-year unlimited warranty for technical defects, a
10-year limited warranty against declines of greater than 10%, and a 20 to 25-year limited warranty
against declines of greater than 20%, in their initial power generation capacity. Since our
products have been in use for only a relatively short period, our assumptions regarding the
durability and reliability of our products may not be accurate. We consider various factors when
determining the likelihood of product defects, including an evaluation of our quality controls,
technical analysis, industry information on comparable companies and our own experience. As of
December 31, 2007, 2008, 2009 and September 30, 2010, our accrued warranty costs for the two to
five years warranty against technical defects totaled RMB21.0 million, RMB48.6 million, RMB73.5
million and RMB121.8 million (US$18.2 million), respectively. Any increase in the defect rate of
our products would increase the amount of our warranty costs and we may not have adequate warranty
provision to cover such warranty costs, which would have a negative impact on our results of
operations.
In addition, we purchase silicon-related materials and other components that we use in our
products from third parties. Unlike PV modules, which are subject to certain uniform international
standards, silicon-related materials generally do not have uniform international standards, and it
is often difficult to determine whether product defects are caused by defects in silicon, silicon
wafers or other components of our products or caused by other reasons. Even assuming that our
product defects are caused by defects in raw materials, we may not be able to recover our warranty
costs from our suppliers because the agreements we entered into with our suppliers
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typically contain no or only limited warranties. The possibility of future product failures
could cause us to incur substantial expense to provide refunds or resolve disputes with regard to
warranty claims through litigation, arbitration or other means, or damage our market reputation and
cause our sales to decline.
As with other PV product manufacturers, we are exposed to risks associated with product
liability claims if the use of the PV products we sell results in injury, death or damage to
property. We cannot predict whether product liability claims will be brought against us in the
future or the effect of any resulting negative publicity on our business. See We have limited
insurance coverage and may incur losses resulting from product liability claims or business
interruptions.
If PV technology is not suitable for widespread adoption, or sufficient demand for PV products does
not develop or takes longer to develop than we anticipated, our sales may not continue to increase
or may even decline, and our revenue and profitability would be reduced.
The PV market is at a relatively early stage of development and the extent to which PV
products will be widely adopted is uncertain. Furthermore, market data in the PV industry are not
as readily available as those in other more established industries, where trends can be assessed
more reliably from data gathered over a longer period of time. If PV technology, in particular the
type of PV technology that we have adopted, proves unsuitable for widespread adoption or if demand
for PV products fails to develop sufficiently, we may not be able to grow our business or generate
sufficient revenue to sustain our profitability. In addition, demand for PV products in our
targeted markets, including China, may not develop or may develop to a lesser extent than we
anticipated. Many factors may affect the viability of widespread adoption of PV technology and
demand for PV products, including:
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cost-effectiveness of PV products compared to conventional and other non-solar energy
sources and products;
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performance and reliability of PV products compared to conventional and other non-solar
energy sources and products;
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availability of government subsidies and incentives to support the development of the PV
industry or other energy resource industries;
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success of other alternative energy generation technologies, such as fuel cells, wind
power and biomass;
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fluctuations in economic and market conditions that affect the viability of conventional
and non-solar alternative energy sources, such as increases or decreases in the prices of
oil and other fossil fuels;
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capital expenditures by end users of PV products, which tend to decrease when the
overall economy slows down; and
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deregulation of the electric power industry and the broader energy industry.
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One of our existing shareholders has substantial influence over our company and its interests may
not be aligned with the interests of our other shareholders.
Hanwha Solar owns 49.99% of our outstanding share capital, taking into account the previously agreed issuance of an additional 14,407,330 ordinary shares to Hanwha Solar at par value. Pursuant to
a shareholder agreement between Hanwha Solar and our company dated September 16, 2010, Hanwha Solar
has the right to designate three directors to our board and veto major corporate actions. Hanwha
Solar has substantial influence over our business, including decisions regarding mergers,
consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election of directors and
other significant corporate actions. This concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or
prevent a change in control of our company, which could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity
to receive a premium for its shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the price of
our ADSs. In addition, without the consent of Hanwha Solar, we could be prevented from entering
into transactions that could be beneficial to us. Hanwha Solar may cause us to take actions that
are opposed by other shareholders as its interests may differ from those of other shareholders.
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Existing regulations and policies governing the electricity utility industry, as well as changes to
regulations and policies affecting PV products, may adversely affect demand for our products and
materially reduce our revenue and profits.
The electric utility industry is subject to extensive regulation, and the market for PV
products is heavily influenced by these regulations as well as the policies promulgated by electric
utilities. These regulations and policies often affect electricity pricing and technical
interconnection of end-user power generation. As the market for solar and other alternative energy
sources continue to evolve, these regulations and policies are being modified and may continue to
be modified. Customer purchases of, or further investment in research and development of, solar and
other alternative energy sources may be significantly affected by these regulations and policies,
which could significantly reduce demand for our products and materially reduce our revenue and
profits.
Moreover, we expect that our PV products and their installation will be subject to oversight
and regulation in accordance with national and local ordinances relating to building codes, safety,
environmental protection, utility interconnection and metering and related matters in various
countries. We also have to comply with the requirements of individual localities and design
equipment to comply with varying standards applicable in the jurisdictions where we conduct
business. Any new government regulations or utility policies pertaining to our PV products may
result in significant additional expenses to us, our distributors and end users and, as a result,
could cause a significant reduction in demand for our PV products, as well as materially and
adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The lack or inaccessibility of subsidies or financing for off-grid solar energy applications could
cause our sales to decline.
Our products are used for off-grid solar energy applications in developed and developing
countries, where solar energy is provided to end users independent of an electricity transmission
grid. In some countries, government agencies and the private sector have, from time to time,
provided subsidies or financing on preferred terms for rural electrification programs. We believe
that the availability of financing could have a significant effect on the level of sales of
off-grid solar energy applications, particularly in developing countries where users may not have
sufficient resources or credit to otherwise acquire PV systems. If existing subsidies or financing
programs for off-grid solar energy applications are eliminated or if financing becomes
inaccessible, the growth of the market for off-grid solar energy applications may be materially and
adversely affected, which may cause our sales to decline.
Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights may undermine our competitive position, and
litigation to protect our intellectual property rights may be costly.
We rely primarily on patents, trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and other contractual
restrictions to protect our intellectual property. Nevertheless, these afford only limited
protection and the actions we take to protect our intellectual property rights may not be adequate.
In particular, implementation of PRC intellectual property-related laws has historically been
lacking, primarily because of ambiguities in the PRC laws and difficulties in enforcement.
Accordingly, intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in China may not be as
effective as in the United States or other countries. Policing unauthorized use of our proprietary
technologies can be difficult and expensive. In addition, litigation may be necessary to enforce
our intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets or determine the validity and scope of
the proprietary rights of others. We also cannot assure you that the outcome of any such litigation
would be in our favor. An adverse determination in any such litigation will impair our intellectual
property rights and may harm our business, prospects and reputation. Furthermore, any such
litigation may be costly and may divert management attention away from our business as well as
require us to expend other resources. We have no insurance coverage against litigation costs and
would have to bear all costs arising from such litigation to the extent we are unable to recover
them from other parties. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be exposed to infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, particularly in
jurisdictions outside China which, if determined adversely against us, could disrupt our business
and subject us to significant liability to third parties, as well as have a material adverse effect
on our financial condition and results of operations
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Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to use and develop our technologies
and know-how without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties. As we continue
to market and sell our products internationally, and as litigation becomes more common in the PRC,
we face a higher risk of being the subject of claims for intellectual property infringement, as
well as having indemnification relating to other parties proprietary rights held to be invalid.
Our current or potential competitors, many of which have substantial resources and have made
substantial investments in competing technologies, may have or may obtain patents that will
prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use or sell our products in the European
Union, the PRC or other countries. The validity and scope of claims relating to PV technology
patents involve complex, scientific, legal and factual questions and analysis and, therefore, may
be highly uncertain. In addition, the defense of intellectual property claims, including patent
infringement suits, and related legal and administrative proceedings can be both costly and time
consuming, and may significantly divert the efforts and resources of our technical and management
personnel. Furthermore, an adverse determination in any such litigation or proceeding to which we
may become a party could cause us to:
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pay damage awards;
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seek licenses from third parties;
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pay ongoing royalties;
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redesign our products; or
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be restricted by injunctions,
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each of which could effectively prevent us from pursuing some or all of our business and result in
our customers or potential customers deferring or limiting their purchase or use of our products,
which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be able to obtain sufficient patent protection on the technologies embodied in the PV
products we currently manufacture and sell, which could reduce our competitiveness and increase our
expenses.
Although we rely primarily on trade secret laws and contractual restrictions to protect the
technologies in the PV cells and PV modules we currently manufacture and sell, our success and
ability to compete in the future may also depend to a significant degree on obtaining patent
protection for our proprietary technologies. As of November 8, 2010, we had 17 issued patents and
14 pending patent applications in the PRC. We do not have, and have not applied for, any patents
for our proprietary technologies outside the PRC. As the protections afforded by our patents are
effective only in the PRC, our competitors and other companies may independently develop
substantially equivalent technologies or otherwise gain access to our proprietary technologies, and
obtain patents for such technologies in other jurisdictions, including the countries in which we
sell our products. Moreover, our patent applications in the PRC may not result in issued patents,
and even if they do result in issued patents, the patents may not have claims of the scope we seek.
In addition, any issued patents may be challenged, invalidated or declared unenforceable. As a
result, our present and future patents may provide only limited protection for our technologies,
and may not be sufficient to provide competitive advantages to us.
We depend on our key personnel, and our business and growth may be severely disrupted if we lose
their services or fail to recruit new qualified personnel.
Our future success depends substantially on the continued services of some of our directors
and key executives. If we lose the services of one or more of our current directors and executive
officers, we may not be able to replace them readily, if at all, with suitable or qualified
candidates, and may incur additional expenses to recruit and retain new directors and officers,
particularly those with a significant mix of both international and China-based PV industry
experience similar to our current directors and officers, which could severely disrupt our business
and growth. In addition, if any of our directors or executives joins a competitor or forms a
competing company, we may lose some of our customers. Each of these directors and executive
officers has entered into an employment agreement with us, which contains confidentiality and
non-competition provisions. However, if any disputes arise between these directors or executive
officers and us, it is not clear, in light of uncertainties associated with the PRC legal system,
the extent to which any of these agreements could be enforced in China, where all of these
directors and executive officers reside and hold some of their assets. See Risks Related to
Doing Business in China Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could have a material
adverse effect on us. Furthermore, as we expect to continue to expand our operations and develop
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new products, we will need to continue attracting and retaining experienced management and key
research and development personnel.
Competition for personnel in the PV industry in China is intense, and the availability of
suitable and qualified candidates is limited. In particular, we compete to attract and retain
qualified research and development personnel with other PV technology companies, universities and
research institutions. Competition for these individuals could cause us to offer higher
compensation and other benefits in order to attract and retain them, which could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We may also be unable to
attract or retain the personnel necessary to achieve our business objectives, and any failure in
this regard could severely disrupt our business and growth.
Any failure to achieve and maintain effective internal control could have a material adverse effect
on our business, results of operations and the market price of our ADSs.
The SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act, adopted rules requiring most public companies to include a management report on such companys
internal control over financial reporting in its annual report, which contains managements
assessment of the effectiveness of the companys internal control over financial reporting. In
addition, when a company meets the SECs criteria, an independent registered public accounting firm
must report on the effectiveness of the companys internal control over financial reporting.
Our management and independent registered public accounting firm have concluded that our
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 was effective. However, we cannot
assure you that in the future our management or our independent registered public accounting firm
will not identify material weaknesses during the Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act audit process
or for other reasons. In addition, because of the inherent limitations of internal control over
financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of
controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely
basis. As a result, if we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or
should we be unable to prevent or detect material misstatements due to error or fraud on a timely
basis, investors could lose confidence in the reliability of our financial statements, which in
turn could harm our business, results of operations and negatively impact the market price of our
ADSs, and harm our reputation. Furthermore, we have incurred and expected to continue to incur
considerable costs and to use significant management time and other resources in an effort to
comply with Section 404 and other requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
We have limited insurance coverage and may incur losses resulting from business interruptions or
product liability claims.
We are subject to risk of explosion and fires, as highly flammable gases, such as silane and
nitrogen gas, are generated in our manufacturing processes. While we have not experienced to date
any explosion or fire, the risks associated with these gases cannot be completely eliminated. In
addition, a natural disaster such as floods or earthquakes, or other unanticipated catastrophic
events, including power interruption, telecommunications failures, equipment failures, explosions,
fires, break-ins, terrorist attacks or acts or wars, could significantly disrupt our ability to
manufacture our products and to operate our business. If any of our production facilities or
material equipment were to experience any significant damage or downtime, we might be unable to
meet our production targets and our business could suffer. Although we have obtained business
interruption insurance, it may not be able to fully cover losses caused by the business
interruption because business interruption insurance available in China offers limited coverage
compared to that offered in many other countries.
We are also exposed to risks associated with product liability claims in the event that the
use of the PV products we sell results in injury, death or damage to property. Due to limited
historical experience, we are unable to predict whether product liability claims will be brought
against us in the future or the effect of any resulting adverse publicity on our business.
Moreover, we only have limited product liability insurance and may not have adequate resources to
satisfy a judgment in the event of a successful claim against us. The successful assertion of
product liability claims against us could result in potentially significant monetary damages and
require us to make significant payments, which could materially and adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
S-22
Any environmental claims or failure to comply with any present or future environmental regulations
may require us to spend additional funds and may materially and adversely affect our financial
condition and results of operations.
We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge
and disposal of chemical by-products of, and water used in, our manufacturing operations and
research and development activities, including toxic, volatile and otherwise hazardous chemicals
and wastes. We are in all material respects in compliance with current PRC environmental
regulations to conduct our business as it is presently conducted. Although we have not suffered
material environmental claims in the past, failure to comply with any present or future regulations
could result in the assessment of damages or imposition of fines against us, suspension of
production or a cessation of our operations. New regulations could also require us to acquire
costly equipment or to incur other significant expenses. Any failure by us to control the use of,
or to adequately restrict the discharge of, hazardous substances could subject us to potentially
significant monetary damages and fines or suspension of our business, as well as our financial
condition and results of operations.
The use of certain hazardous substances, such as lead, in various products is also coming
under increasingly stringent governmental regulation. Increased environmental regulation in this
area could adversely impact the manufacture and sale of solar modules that contain lead and could
require us to make unanticipated environmental expenditures. For example, the European Union
Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, or the WEEE Directive, requires
manufacturers of certain electrical and electronic equipment to be financially responsible for the
collection, recycling, treatment and disposal of specified products placed on the market in the
European Union. In addition, European Union Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the use of
Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment, or the RoHS Directive, restricts the
use of certain hazardous substances, including lead, in specified products. Other jurisdictions are
considering adopting similar legislation. Currently, we are not required under the WEEE or RoHS
Directives to collect, recycle or dispose any of our products. However, the Directives allow for
future amendments subjecting additional products to the Directives requirements. If, in the
future, our PV products become subject to such requirements, we may be required to apply for an
exemption. If we were unable to obtain an exemption, we would be required to redesign our PV
products in order to continue to offer them for sale within the European Union, which would be
impractical. Failure to comply with the Directives could result in fines and penalties, inability
to sell our PV products in the European Union, competitive disadvantages and loss of net sales, all
of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Our business benefits from certain PRC government incentives. Expiration of, or changes to, these
incentives could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
On March 16, 2007, the PRC government promulgated the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on
the Enterprise Income Tax, or the EIT, which took effect on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT,
domestically owned enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises, or FIEs, are subject to a uniform
tax rate of 25%. While the EIT equalizes the tax rates for FIEs and domestically owned enterprises,
preferential tax treatment continues to be granted to companies in certain encouraged sectors, and
entities classified as high and new technology enterprises are entitled to a 15% enterprise
income tax rate, whether domestically owned enterprises or FIEs. The EIT also provides a five-year
transition period starting from its effective date for those enterprises which were established
before the promulgation date of the EIT and which were entitled to a preferential lower tax rate or
tax holiday under the then effective tax laws or regulations. The tax rate of such enterprises will
transition to the uniform tax rate within a five-year transition period and the tax holiday, which
has been enjoyed by such enterprises before the effective date of the EIT, may continue to be
enjoyed until the end of the holiday. Linyang China, our wholly owned operating subsidiary in
China, was approved to be qualified as a high and new technology enterprise on October 21, 2008.
The high and new technology enterprise status will be valid for a period of three years from the
date of issuance of the certificate and is subject to an annual self-review process whereby a form is submitted to relevant tax authority for approval to use a benefitial income tax rate. If there are significant changes in the business operations,
manufacturing technologies or other criteria that cause the enterprise to no longer meet the
criteria as a high and new technology enterprise, such status will be terminated from the year of
such change. If Linyang China fails to qualify as a high and new technology enterprise in future
periods, our income tax expenses would increase, which could have a material and adverse effect on
our net income and results of operations.
In accordance with the former PRC Income Tax Law for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and
Foreign Enterprises, or the FIE Tax Law, the EIT and the related implementing rules, Linyang China
was exempted from enterprise income tax in 2005 and 2006, was taxed at a reduced rate of 12% in
2007, 12.5% in 2008 and 12.5% in 2009, and is taxed at a reduced rate of 15% in 2010. From 2005
until the end of 2007, Linyang China was also exempted from the 3% local income tax.
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Any reduction or elimination of the preferential tax treatments currently enjoyed by us may
significantly increase our income tax expenses and materially reduce our net income, which could
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Under the EIT, we may be classified as a Resident Enterprise of the PRC. Such classification
would likely result in negative tax consequences to us and could result in negative tax
consequences to our non-PRC shareholders and ADS holders.
Under the EIT, enterprises established under the laws of non-PRC jurisdictions but whose de
facto management body is located in the PRC are considered resident enterprises for PRC tax
purposes and are subject to the EIT. According to the Implementation Regulations for the EIT of the
PRC issued by the State Council on December 6, 2007, de facto management body is defined as an
establishment that exerts substantial and comprehensive management and control over the business
operations, staff, accounting, assets and other aspects of the enterprise. Since substantially all
of our management is currently based in the PRC, and may remain in the PRC in the foreseeable
future, it is likely that we will be regarded as a resident enterprise on a strict application of
the EIT and its Implementation Regulations. As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, we
recorded unrecognized tax benefits of approximately RMB27.4 million and RMB27.4 million
(US$4.1 million), respectively, because based on our judgment, we may be deemed as a PRC tax
resident pursuant to the EIT. If Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd., or Solarfun, our holding
company, or any of its non-PRC subsidiaries is treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax
purposes, Solarfun or such subsidiary will be subject to PRC income tax on worldwide income at a
uniform tax rate of 25%, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations.
In addition, although the EIT provides that dividend income payments between qualified
resident enterprises are exempted from the 10% withholding tax, it is still not free of doubt
whether we will be considered to be a qualified resident enterprise under the EIT. If we are
considered a non-resident enterprise, dividends paid to us by our subsidiaries in the PRC
(through our holding company structure), if any, may be subject to the 10% withholding tax. If we are deemed
by the PRC tax authorities as a resident enterprise and declare dividends, under the existing
implementation rules of the EIT, dividends paid by us to our shareholders and ADS holders, which
are non-resident enterprises and do not have an establishment or place of business in the PRC,
or which have such an establishment or place of business but the relevant income is not effectively
connected with the establishment or place of business, might be subject to PRC withholding tax at
10% or a lower treaty rate.
Similarly, any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or shares by non-PRC investors, which are
non-resident enterprises, is also subject to PRC withholding income tax at 10% or a lower treaty
rate if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC.
According to the Law of the Peoples Republic of China on the Individual Income Tax, or the
IIT, as amended, PRC income tax at the rate of 20% is applicable to dividends payable to individual
investors if such dividends are regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC. Similarly,
any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or ordinary shares by individual investors is also
subject to PRC tax at 20% if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC.
If we are deemed by the PRC tax authorities as a resident enterprise, the dividends we pay to our
individual investors with respect to our ordinary shares or ADSs, or the gain the individual
investors may realize from the transfer of our ordinary shares or ADSs, might be treated as income
derived from sources within the PRC and be subject to PRC tax at 20% or a lower treaty rate.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our business as well as result in foreign
currency exchange losses.
Our financial statements are expressed in, and our functional currency is Renminbi. The change
in value of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar, Euro and other currencies is affected by, among
other things, changes in Chinas political and economic conditions. On July 21, 2005, the PRC
government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar.
Under the new policy, the Renminbi is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow and managed band
against a basket of certain foreign currencies. This change in policy has resulted in a more than
17.5% appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. The PRC government may decide to adopt
an even more flexible currency policy in the future, which could result in a further and more
significant appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. An appreciation of the Renminbi
relative to other foreign currencies could decrease the per unit revenue generated from our
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international sales. If we increased our pricing to compensate for the reduced purchasing
power of foreign currencies, we may decrease the market competitiveness, on a price basis, of our
products. This could result in a decrease in our international sales and materially and adversely
affect our business.
A substantial portion of our sales is denominated in U.S. dollars and Euros, while a
substantial portion of our costs and expenses is denominated in Renminbi. As a result, the
revaluation of the Renminbi in July 2005 has increased, and further revaluations could further
increase, our costs. The value of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in foreign currency terms
will also be affected. Conversely, if we decide to convert our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the
purpose of making payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for other business
purposes, an appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on
the U.S. dollar amount available to us.
Fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly among the U.S. dollar, Renminbi and Euro, also
affect our gross and net profit margins and could result in fluctuations in foreign exchange and
operating gains and losses. We incurred net foreign currency losses of RMB25.6 million,
RMB35.2 million, RMB23.8 million and RMB53.0 million (US$7.9 million) in 2007, 2008, 2009 and the
nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. In particular, a substantial portion of our net
revenues is currently denominated in Euros. Since December 2009, the Euro has fluctuated
significantly. A depreciation of the Euro may also have a negative impact on the selling prices of
our products in Renminbi terms. We cannot predict the impact of future exchange rate fluctuations
on our financial condition and results of operations, and we may incur net foreign currency losses
in the future.
While we started to enter into economic hedging transactions in 2008 to minimize the impact of
short-term foreign currency fluctuations on our revenues that are denominated in a currency other
than Renminbi, the effectiveness of these transactions may be limited and we may not be able to
successfully hedge all of our exposure. Our estimates of future revenues that are denominated in
foreign currencies may not be accurate, which could result in foreign exchange losses. Any default
by the counterparties to these transactions could also adversely affect our financial condition and
results of operations. In addition, our foreign currency exchange losses may be magnified by PRC
exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currencies.
Risks Related to Doing Business in China
Adverse changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government could have a material
adverse effect on the overall economic growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our
products and materially and adversely affect our competitive position.
Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China and some of our sales are made in
China. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects are
affected significantly by economic, political and legal developments in China. The PRC economy
differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including:
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the amount of government involvement;
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the level of development;
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the growth rate;
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the control of foreign exchange; and
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the allocation of resources.
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While the PRC economy has grown significantly since the late 1970s, the growth has been
uneven, both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. The PRC government has
implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and guide the allocation of resources.
Some of these measures benefit the overall PRC economy, but may also have a negative effect on us.
For example, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by
government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to
us.
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The PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to a more market-oriented
economy. Although the PRC government has in recent years implemented measures emphasizing the
utilization of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state ownership of productive
assets and the establishment of sound corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial
portion of the productive assets in China is still owned by the PRC government. The continued
control of these assets and other aspects of the national economy by the PRC government could
materially and adversely affect our business. The PRC government also exercises significant control
over economic growth in China through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of foreign
currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary policy and providing preferential treatment to
particular industries or companies. Efforts by the PRC government to slow the pace of growth of the
PRC economy could result in decreased capital expenditure by solar energy users, which in turn
could reduce demand for our products.
Any adverse change in the economic conditions or government policies in China could have a
material adverse effect on the overall economic growth and the level of renewable energy
investments and expenditures in China, which in turn could lead to a reduction in demand for our
products and consequently have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. In
particular, the PRC government has, in recent years, promulgated certain laws and regulations and
initiated certain government-sponsored programs to encourage the utilization of new forms of
energy, including solar energy. We cannot assure you that the implementation of these laws,
regulations and government programs will be beneficial to us. In particular, any adverse change in
the PRC governments policies towards the PV industry may have a material adverse effect on our
operations as well as on our plans to expand our business into downstream system integration
services.
Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could have a material adverse effect on us.
We conduct substantially all of our business through our operating subsidiary in the PRC,
Linyang China, a Chinese wholly foreign-owned enterprise. Linyang China is generally subject to
laws and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China and, in particular, laws applicable
to wholly foreign-owned enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes, and prior
court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. Since 1979, PRC
legislation and regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms
of foreign investments in China. However, since these laws and regulations are relatively new and
the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many laws, regulations and
rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve
uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to us. In addition, any litigation in
China may be protracted and result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management
attention.
Limitations on the ability of our operating subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions to
us could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our business through our operating
subsidiary, Linyang China, which is a limited liability company established in China. The payment
of dividends by entities organized in, if any, China is subject to limitations. In particular, regulations
in the PRC currently permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits as determined in
accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. Linyang China is also required to set
aside at least 10% of its annual after-tax profit based on PRC accounting standards each year to
its general reserves until the accumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of its registered
capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. In addition, Linyang China is
required to allocate a portion of its after-tax profit to its staff welfare and bonus fund at the
discretion of its board of directors. Moreover, if Linyang China incurs debt on its own behalf in
the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay dividends or make
other distributions to us.
Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our revenue effectively.
A portion of our revenue and a substantial portion of our expenses are denominated in
Renminbi. The Renminbi is currently convertible under the current account, which includes
dividends, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not under the capital
account, which includes foreign direct investment and loans. Currently, Linyang China may purchase
foreign currencies for settlement of current account transactions, including payments of dividends
to us, without the approval of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE. However, the
relevant PRC government authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to purchase foreign
currencies in the future. Since a significant amount of our future revenue will be denominated in
Renminbi, any existing and future restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to
S-26
utilize revenue generated in Renminbi to fund our business activities outside China that are
denominated in foreign currencies.
Foreign exchange transactions by Linyang China under the capital account continue to be
subject to significant foreign exchange controls and require the approval of or need to register
with PRC governmental authorities, including SAFE. In particular, if Linyang China borrows foreign
currency loans from us or other foreign lenders, these loans must be registered with SAFE, and if
we finance Linyang China by means of additional capital contributions, these capital contributions
must be approved by certain government authorities, including the National Development and Reform
Commission, or the NDRC, the Ministry of Commerce or their respective local counterparts. These
limitations could affect the ability of Linyang China to obtain foreign exchange through debt or
equity financing.
PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore special purpose companies by PRC
residents may subject our PRC resident shareholders to personal liability and limit our ability to
acquire PRC companies or to inject capital into our PRC subsidiary, limit our PRC subsidiarys
ability to distribute profits to us, or otherwise materially and adversely affect us.
SAFE issued a public notice in October 2005, or the SAFE notice, requiring PRC residents,
including both legal persons and natural persons, to register with the competent local SAFE branch
before establishing or controlling any company outside of China, referred to as an offshore
special purpose company, for the purpose of acquiring any assets of or equity interest in PRC
companies and raising fund from overseas. In addition, any PRC resident that is the shareholder of
an offshore special purpose company is required to amend its SAFE registration with the local SAFE
branch, with respect to that offshore special purpose company in connection with any increase or
decrease of capital, transfer of shares, merger, division, equity investment or creation of any
security interest over any assets located in China. If any PRC shareholder of any offshore special
purpose company fails to make the required SAFE registration and amendment, the PRC subsidiaries of
that offshore special purpose company may be prohibited from distributing their profits and
proceeds from any reduction in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the offshore special
purpose company. Moreover, failure to comply with the SAFE registration and amendment requirements
described above could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of applicable foreign exchange
restrictions. Our current beneficial owners who are PRC residents have registered with the local
SAFE branch as required under the SAFE notice. The failure of these beneficial owners to amend
their SAFE registrations in a timely manner pursuant to the SAFE notice or the failure of future
beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents to comply with the registration procedures
set forth in the SAFE notice may subject such beneficial owners to fines and legal sanctions and
may also result in a restriction on our PRC subsidiarys ability to distribute profits to us or
otherwise materially and adversely affect our business. In addition, the NDRC promulgated a rule in
October 2004, or the NDRC Rule, which requires NDRC approvals for overseas investment projects made
by PRC entities. The NDRC Rule also provides that approval procedures for overseas investment
projects of PRC individuals shall be implemented with reference to this rule. However, there exist
extensive uncertainties in terms of interpretation of the NDRC Rule with respect to its application
to a PRC individuals overseas investment, and in practice, we are not aware of any precedents that
a PRC individuals overseas investment has been approved by the NDRC or challenged by the NDRC
based on the absence of NDRC approval. Our current beneficial owners who are PRC individuals did
not apply for NDRC approval for investment in us. We cannot predict how and to what extent this
will affect our business operations or future strategy. For example, the failure of our
shareholders who are PRC individuals to comply with the NDRC Rule may subject these persons or our
PRC subsidiary to certain liabilities under PRC laws, which could adversely affect our business.
New labor laws in the PRC may adversely affect our results of operations.
On June 29, 2007, the PRC government promulgated the Labor Contract Law of the PRC, or the New
Labor Contract Law, which became effective on January 1, 2008. The New Labor Contract Law imposes
greater liabilities on employers and significantly impacts the cost of an employers decision to
reduce its workforce. Further, it requires certain terminations to be based upon seniority and not
merit. In the event we decide to significantly change or decrease our workforce, the New Labor
Contract Law could adversely affect our ability to enact such changes in a manner that is most
advantageous to our business or in a timely and cost effective manner, thus materially and
adversely affecting our financial condition and results of operations.
We face risks related to health epidemics and other outbreaks.
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Adverse public health epidemics or pandemics could disrupt business and the economics of the
PRC and other countries where we do business. From December 2002 to June 2003, China and other
countries experienced an outbreak of a highly contagious form of atypical pneumonia now known as
severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS. Some Asian countries, including China, encountered
incidents of the H5N1 strain of bird flu, or avian flu in 2007 and early 2008. From April 2009,
there have been outbreaks of swine flu, caused by H1N1 virus, in certain regions of the world,
including China. Any future outbreak of SARS, avian flu, swine flu or other similar adverse public
developments may, among other things, significantly disrupt our business, including limiting our
ability to travel or ship our products within or outside China and forcing us to temporary close
our manufacturing facilities. Furthermore, an outbreak may severely restrict the level of economic
activity in affected areas, which may in turn materially and adversely affect our financial
condition and results of operations. We have not adopted any written preventive measures or
contingency plans to combat any future outbreak of swine flu, avian flu, SARS or any other
epidemic.
Risks Related to Our ADSs
The market price of our ADSs may be volatile.
The market price of our ADSs experienced, and may continue to experience, significant
volatility. For the period from December 20, 2006 to November 8, 2010, the closing price of
our ADSs on the Nasdaq Global Market has ranged from a low of US$2.30 per ADS to a high of US$37.64
per ADS.
Numerous factors, including many over which we have no control, may have a significant impact
on the market price of our ADSs, including, among other things:
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announcements of technological or competitive developments;
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regulatory developments in our target markets affecting us, our customers or our
competitors;
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announcements regarding patent litigation or the issuance of patents to us or our
competitors;
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announcements of studies and reports relating to the conversion efficiencies of our
products or those of our competitors;
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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;
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changes in financial estimates or other material comments by securities analysts
relating to us, our competitors or our industry in general;
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announcements by other companies in our industry relating to their operations, strategic
initiatives, financial condition or financial performance or to our industry in general;
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announcements of acquisitions or consolidations involving industry competitors or
industry suppliers;
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changes in the economic performance or market valuations of other PV technology
companies;
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addition or departure of our executive officers and key research personnel; and
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sales or perceived sales of additional ordinary shares or ADSs.
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In addition, the stock market in recent years has experienced extreme price and trading volume
fluctuations that often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of
individual companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the price of our ADSs,
regardless of our operating performance.
Future issuances of ordinary shares, ADSs or equity-related securities may depress the trading
price of our ADSs.
Any issuance of equity securities after this offering could dilute the interests of our
existing shareholders and could substantially decrease the trading price of our ADSs. We may issue
equity securities in the future for
S-28
a number of reasons, including to finance our operations and business strategy (including in
connection with acquisitions, strategic collaborations or other transactions), to adjust our ratio
of debt to equity and to satisfy our obligations upon the exercise of outstanding warrants or
options or for other reasons.
Sales of a substantial number of ADSs or other equity-related securities in the public market
could depress the market price of our ADSs, and impair our ability to raise capital through the
sale of additional equity securities. We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our ADSs or
other equity-related securities would have on the market price of our ADSs. In addition, the price
of our ADSs could be affected by possible sales of our ADSs by investors who view the convertible
notes as a more attractive means of obtaining equity participation in our company and by hedging or
arbitrage trading activity that we expect to develop involving our convertible notes.
Our articles of association contain anti-takeover provisions that could have a material adverse
effect on the rights of holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs.
Our articles of association limit the ability of others to acquire control of our company or
cause us to engage in change-of-control transactions. These provisions could have the effect of
depriving our shareholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing
market prices by discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a
tender offer or similar transaction. For example, our board of directors has the authority, without
further action by our shareholders, to issue preferred shares in one or more series and to fix
their designations, powers, preferences, privileges, and relative participating, optional or
special rights and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions, including dividend rights,
conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption and liquidation preferences, any or all of
which may be greater than the rights associated with our ordinary shares, in the form of ADS or
otherwise. Preferred shares could be issued quickly with terms calculated to delay or prevent a
change in control of our company or make removal of management more difficult. If our board of
directors decides to issue preferred shares, the price of our ADSs may fall and the voting and
other rights of the holders of our ordinary shares and ADSs may be materially and adversely
affected.
Holders of ADSs have fewer rights than shareholders and must act through the depositary to exercise
those rights.
Holders of ADSs do not have the same rights of our shareholders and may only exercise the
voting rights with respect to the underlying ordinary shares in accordance with the provisions of
the deposit agreement. Under our amended and restated articles of association, the minimum notice
period required to convene a general meeting is 14 days. When a general meeting is convened, ADS
holders may not receive sufficient notice of a shareholders meeting to permit such holders to
withdraw their ordinary shares to allow them to cast their vote with respect to any specific
matter. If requested in writing by us, the depositary will mail a notice of such a meeting to ADS
holders. In addition, the depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to
ADS holders or carry out ADS holders voting instructions in a timely manner. We will make all
reasonable efforts to cause the depositary to extend voting rights to ADS holders in a timely
manner, but you may not receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the
depositary to vote the ADSs in a timely manner. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not
be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any
vote is cast or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, you may not be able to exercise your
right to vote and you may lack recourse if the ADSs are not voted as you requested. In addition, in
your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to call a shareholder meeting.
You may be subject to limitations on transfers of your ADSs.
Your ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close
its transfer books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the
performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register
transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any
time if we or the depositary deem it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any
government or governmental body, or under any provision of the deposit agreement, or for any other
reason.
Your right to participate in any future rights offerings may be limited, which may cause dilution
to your holdings and you may not receive cash dividends if it is impractical to make them available
to you.
We may from time to time distribute rights to our shareholders, including rights to acquire
our securities. However, shareholders and ADS holders in the United States will not be able to
exercise these rights unless we
S-29
register the rights and the securities to which the rights relate under the Securities Act, or
an exemption from the registration requirements is available. Also, under the deposit agreement,
the depositary will not make rights available to ADS holders unless the distribution to ADS holders
of both the rights and any related securities are either registered under the Securities Act, or
exempted from registration under the Securities Act. We are under no obligation to file a
registration statement with respect to any such rights or securities or to endeavor to cause such a
registration statement to be declared effective. Moreover, we may not be able to establish an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, in the event we conduct any
rights offering in the future, the depositary may not make such rights available to holders of ADSs
or may dispose of such rights and make the net proceeds available to such holders. As a result, ADS
holders may be unable to participate in our rights offerings and may experience dilution in their
holdings.
In addition, the depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay to ADS holders the cash dividends or
other distributions it or the custodian receives on our ordinary shares or other deposited
securities after deducting its fees and expenses. ADS holders will receive these distributions in
proportion to the number of ordinary shares their ADSs represent. However, the depositary may, at
its discretion, decide that it is inequitable or impractical to make a distribution available to
any holders of ADSs. As a result, the depositary may decide not to make the distribution and ADS
holders will not receive such distribution.
We are a Cayman Islands company and, because judicial precedent regarding the rights of
shareholders is more limited under Cayman Islands law than that under U.S. law, ADS holders may
have less protection for their shareholder rights than such holders would under U.S. law.
Our corporate affairs are governed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of
association, the Cayman Islands Companies Law and the common law of the Cayman Islands. The rights
of shareholders to take action against the directors, actions by minority shareholders and the
fiduciary responsibilities of our directors to us under Cayman Islands law are to a large extent
governed by the common law of the Cayman Islands. The common law of the Cayman Islands is derived
in part from comparatively limited judicial precedent in the Cayman Islands as well as that from
English common law, which has persuasive, but not binding, authority on a court in the Cayman
Islands. The rights of our shareholders and the fiduciary responsibilities of our directors under
Cayman Islands law are not as clearly established as they would be under statutes or judicial
precedent in some jurisdictions in the United States. In particular, the Cayman Islands has a less
developed body of securities laws than the United States. In addition, some U.S. states, such as
Delaware, have more fully developed and judicially interpreted bodies of corporate law than the
Cayman Islands. In addition, Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to initiate a
shareholder derivative action in a federal court of the United States.
In addition, most of our directors and officers are nationals and residents of countries other
than the United States. Substantially all of our assets and a substantial portion of the assets of
these persons are located outside the United States.
The Cayman Islands courts are also unlikely:
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to recognize or enforce against us judgments of courts of the United States based on
certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws; and
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to impose liabilities against us, in original actions brought in the Cayman Islands,
based on certain civil liability provisions of U.S. securities laws that are penal in
nature.
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There is no statutory recognition in the Cayman Islands of judgments obtained in the United
States, although the courts of the Cayman Islands will generally recognize and enforce a non-penal
judgment of a foreign court of competent jurisdiction without retrial on the merits.
As a result of all of the above, public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting
their interests in the face of actions taken by management, members of the board of directors or
controlling shareholders than they would as shareholders of a U.S. public company.
You may have difficulty enforcing judgments obtained against us.
We are a Cayman Islands company and substantially all of our assets are located outside of the
United States. Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in the PRC. In addition,
most of our directors
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and officers are nationals and residents of countries other than the United States. A
substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States. As a
result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon
these persons. It may also be difficult for you to enforce in U.S. courts judgments obtained in
U.S. courts based on the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws against us
and our officers and directors, most of whom are not residents in the United States and the
substantial majority of whose assets are located outside of the United States. In addition, there
is uncertainty as to whether the courts of the Cayman Islands or the PRC would recognize or enforce
judgments of U.S. courts against us or such persons predicated upon the civil liability provisions
of the securities laws of the United States or any state. In addition, it is uncertain whether such
Cayman Islands or PRC courts would be competent to hear original actions brought in the Cayman
Islands or the PRC against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United
States or any state. See Enforceability of Civil Liabilities in the accompanying prospectus.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
We intend to use the proceeds of this offering for capital expenditures and general working
capital purposes.
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PRICE RANGE OF OUR AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
For the period from December 20, 2006 to November 8, 2010, the closing price of our ADSs
on the Nasdaq Global Market ranged from US$2.30 to US$37.64 per ADS.
Set forth below, for the applicable periods indicated, are the high and low closing prices per
ADS.
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High
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Low
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US$
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2006 (from December 20)
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12.14
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9.96
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2007
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Quarterly Highs and Lows
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First Quarter 2007
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16.45
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10.29
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Second Quarter 2007
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17.68
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8.28
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Third Quarter 2007
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14.64
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9.10
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Fourth Quarter 2007
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35.96
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10.26
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2008
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Quarterly Highs and Lows
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First Quarter 2008
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37.64
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8.97
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Second Quarter 2008
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26.50
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12.31
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Third Quarter 2008
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19.99
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10.20
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Fourth Quarter 2008
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11.57
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2.68
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2009
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Quarterly Highs and Lows
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First Quarter 2009
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6.12
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2.30
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Second Quarter 2009
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8.48
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3.71
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Third Quarter 2009
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7.98
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4.79
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Fourth Quarter 2009
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7.94
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4.60
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2010
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Monthly Highs and Lows
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May 2010
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9.00
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6.00
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June 2010
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8.30
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6.77
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July 2010
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10.28
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7.18
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August 2010
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11.34
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9.79
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September 2010
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13.15
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10.92
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October 2010
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12.61
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10.05
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November (through November 8, 2010)
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11.47
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9.92
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On November 8, 2010, the last reported closing sale price of our ADSs on the Nasdaq Global
Market was US$11.47 per ADS.
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DIVIDEND POLICY
We made a one-time cash dividend payment in the aggregate amount of RMB7.2 million to holders
of the series A convertible preference shares on December 31, 2006. Except for the foregoing, we
have never declared or paid any cash dividends, nor do we have any present plan to pay any cash
dividends on our share capital in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if
not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
Our board of directors has complete discretion on whether to pay dividends, subject to the
approval of our shareholders. Even if our board of directors decides to pay dividends, the form,
frequency and amount will depend upon our future operations and earnings, capital requirements and
surplus, general financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of
directors may deem relevant. If we pay any dividends, we will pay our ADS holders to the same
extent as holders of our ordinary shares, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, including
the fees and expenses payable thereunder. See Description of American Depositary Shares in the
accompanying prospectus. Cash dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be paid in U.S.
dollars.
We rely on dividends paid by Linyang China for our cash needs, including the funds necessary
to pay dividends to our shareholders. The payment of dividends by Linyang China is subject to
limitations. See Risk Factors Risks Related to Doing Business in China Limitations on the
ability of our operating subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions to us could have a
material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our business.
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CAPITALIZATION
You should read this table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the
related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year
ended December 31, 2009 (as amended) and
our condensed consolidated financial information as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2010, June
30, 2010 and September 30, 2010 contained in our current reports on Form 6-K submitted to the SEC
on May 28, 2010, August 3, 2010 and November 9, 2010, respectively, which are incorporated by reference herein.
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of September 30, 2010:
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on an actual basis; and
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on an adjusted basis giving effect to our issuance and sale
of 5,914,878 ADSs (assuming a
public offering price of US$11.47 per ADS, which was the last reported sale price of our ADSs on
November 8, 2010) , after deducting commissions and estimated offering expenses.
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As of September 30, 2010
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Actual
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Actual
(1)
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As Adjusted
(2)
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As Adjusted
(1)(2)
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(RMB)
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(US$)
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(RMB)
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(US$)
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(in thousands)
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Shareholders equity
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Ordinary shares, US$0.0001
par value, 500,000,000
shares authorized;
328,663,828
(3)
shares issued and
outstanding; and 358,238,218 shares
issued and outstanding on an
as adjusted basis
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252
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38
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272
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41
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Additional paid-in capital
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2,877,477
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430,079
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3,306,526
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494,212
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Statutory reserve
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151,541
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22,650
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151,541
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22,650
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Retained earnings
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714,629
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106,812
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714,629
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106,812
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Total shareholders equity
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3,743,869
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559,579
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4,172,968
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623,715
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Total capitalization
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3,743,869
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559,579
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4,172,968
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623,715
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(1)
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The translations of RMB into U.S. dollars are based on the exchange rate on September
30, 2010 as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board, which was
RMB6.6905 to US$1.00.
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(2)
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Assumes a sale price of US$11.47 per ADS, which was the last reported closing price of our
ADSs on November 8, 2010.
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(3)
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The number of shares issued and outstanding as stated within Shareholders equity
excludes the following: a) 9,019,611 ADSs which were issued to facilitate our convertible bond
offering and such ADSs have been classified as being excluded from shareholders equity for
accounting purposes; b) 1,693,260 ordinary shares which have been reserved by our company to allow
for the participation in the ADS program by our employees pursuant to our share option plan,
from time to time and c) 30,672,689 ordinary shares issued to Hanwha Solar in connection with
Hanwha Solars purchase of 36,455,089 ordinary shares of our company in September 2010 and
such ordinary shares have been classified as being excluded from shareholders equity for
accounting purposes.
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As of the date of this prospectus supplement, there has been no material change to our
capitalization as set forth above.
S-35
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability and our affairs are governed
by our memorandum and articles of association, as amended and restated from time to time, and the
Companies Law (2010 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, which is referred to as the Companies Law
below.
As of September 30, 2010, our authorized share capital consisted of 500,000,000 ordinary
shares, with a par value of US$0.0001 each.
The following are summaries of material provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and
articles of association and the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms of our
ordinary shares.
Description of Ordinary Shares
General
All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Certificates
representing the ordinary shares are issued in registered form. Our shareholders who are
non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote their ordinary shares.
Dividends
The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by our
board of directors subject to the Companies Law. Under our amended and restated memorandum and
articles of association, all dividends unclaimed for one year after having been declared may be
invested or otherwise made use of by our board of directors for our exclusive benefit until
claimed, and we will not be deemed a trustee in respect of such dividend or be required to account
for any money earned thereon. All dividends unclaimed for six years after having been declared may
be forfeited by our board of directors and thereon will revert to us.
Voting Rights
The holder of each ordinary share is entitled to one vote for each ordinary share held by such
holder on all matters upon which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote. Voting at any meeting of
shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman
of such meeting or any other shareholder or shareholders present in person or by proxy and holding
at least 10% in par value of the shares giving a right to attend and vote at the meeting.
A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at least one shareholder present
or by proxy or, if a corporation or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized representative
holding not less than one-third of the outstanding voting shares in our company. Shareholders
meetings may be convened by our board of directors on its own initiative or upon a request to the
directors by shareholders holding in the aggregate 10% or more of our voting share capital. Advance
notice of at least 20 (but not more than 60) days is required for the convening of our annual
general shareholders meeting and any other general shareholders meeting calling for the passing
of a resolution requiring two-thirds of shareholder votes, and advance notice of at least 14 (but
not more than 60) days is required for the convening of other general shareholder meetings.
An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of a
simple majority of the votes attaching to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a
special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than two-thirds of the votes cast
attaching to the ordinary shares. A special resolution will be required for important matters such
as a change of name or making changes to our amended and restated memorandum and articles of
association.
Transfer of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the restrictions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of
association, as applicable, any of our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary
shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form or any other form approved by our
board of directors.
S-36
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline to register any transfer of
any ordinary share which is not fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our board of directors
may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share unless:
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the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the certificate for the
ordinary shares to which it relates and such other evidence as our board of directors may
reasonably require to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;
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the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of ordinary shares;
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the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;
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in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint holders to whom the
ordinary share is to be transferred does not exceed four;
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the ordinary shares transferred are free of any lien in favor of us;
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any fee related to the transfer has been paid to us; and
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the transfer to be registered is not to an infant or a person suffering from mental
disorder.
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If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall, within two months after the date on
which the instrument of transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the transferee
notice of such refusal.
The registration of transfers may be suspended and the register closed at such times and for
such periods as our board of directors may from time to time determine, provided, however, that the
registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor the register closed for more than 45 days in
any year.
Liquidation
On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on conversion, redemption or
purchase of ordinary shares), assets available for distribution among the holders of ordinary
shares shall be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares on a
pro rata
basis. If our
assets available for distribution are insufficient to repay all of the paid-up capital, the assets
will be distributed so that the losses are borne by our shareholders proportionately.
Calls on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary Shares
Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon shareholders for any amounts
unpaid on their ordinary shares in a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior to
the specified time of payment. The ordinary shares that have been called upon and remain unpaid are
subject to forfeiture.
Redemption of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and other applicable law, we may issue shares
on terms that are subject to redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders, on such
terms and in such manner as may be determined by special resolution.
Variations of Rights of Shares
If at any time, our share capital is divided into different classes of shares, all or any of
the special rights attached to any class of shares may, subject to the provisions of the Companies
Law, be varied either with the consent in writing of the holders of three-fourths of the issued
shares of that class or by a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the
shares of that class. The rights conferred upon the holders of the shares of any class issued with
preferred or other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by the terms of issue of
the shares of that class, be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking
pari passu
with such existing class of shares. The rights of holders of ordinary shares shall not
be deemed to be varied by the creation or issue of shares with preferred or other rights which may
be affected by
S-37
the directors as provided in the articles of association without any vote or consent of the
holders of ordinary shares.
General Meetings of Shareholders
The directors may, and shall on the requisition of shareholders holding at least 10% in par
value of the capital of our company carrying voting rights at general meetings, proceed to convene
a general meeting of such shareholders. If the directors do not within 21 days from the deposit of
the requisition duly proceed to convene a general meeting, which will be held within a further
period of 21 days, the requisitioning shareholders, or any of them holding more than 50% of the
total voting rights of all of the requisitioning shareholders, may themselves convene a general
meeting. Any such general meeting must be convened within three months after the expiration of such
21-day period.
Inspection of Books and Records
Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under Cayman Islands law to inspect
or obtain copies of our list of shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide our
shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See Where You Can Find Additional
Information About Us.
Changes in Capital
We may from time to time by ordinary resolution:
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increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into shares of such classes and
amounts, as the resolution shall prescribe;
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consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into shares of a larger amount
than our existing shares;
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sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of a smaller amount provided
that in the subdivision the proportion between the amount paid and the amount, if any,
unpaid on each reduced share shall be the same as it was in case of the share from which
the reduced share is derived; or
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cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the resolution, have not been
taken or agreed to be taken by any person and diminish the amount of our share capital by
the amount of the shares so cancelled.
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We may by special resolution reduce our share capital and any capital redemption reserve in
any manner authorized by law.
Exempted Company
We are an exempted company with limited liability under the Companies Law. The Companies Law
distinguishes between ordinary resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is
registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly outside of the Cayman Islands may
apply to be registered as an exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are
essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the exemptions and privileges listed
below:
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an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of its shareholders with the
Registrar of Companies;
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an exempted companys register of members is not open to inspection;
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an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general meeting;
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an exempted company may issue no par value, negotiable or bearer shares;
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an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the imposition of any future
taxation (such undertakings are usually given for 20 years in the first instance);
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an exempted company may register by way of continuation in another jurisdiction and be
deregistered in the Cayman Islands;
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an exempted company may register as a limited duration company; and
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an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio company.
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Limited liability means that the liability of each shareholder is limited to the amount
unpaid by the shareholder on the shares of the company. We are subject to reporting and other
informational requirements of the Exchange Act, as applicable to foreign private issuers. We intend
to comply with the Nasdaq Rules in lieu of following home country practice. The Nasdaq Rules
require that every company listed on the Nasdaq hold an annual general meeting of shareholders. In
addition, our amended and restated articles of association allow directors or shareholders to call
special shareholder meetings pursuant to the procedures set forth in the articles.
Differences in Corporate Law
The Companies Law is modeled after that of English law but does not follow many recent English
law statutory enactments. In addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to United
States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth below is a summary of the significant
differences between the provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws applicable to
companies incorporated in the State of Delaware and their shareholders.
Mergers and Similar Arrangements
The Companies Law permits mergers and consolidations between Cayman Islands companies and
between Cayman Islands companies and non-Cayman Islands companies. For these purposes, (a) merger
means the merging of two or more constituent companies and the vesting of their undertaking,
property and liabilities in one of such companies as the surviving company and (b) a
consolidation means the combination of two or more constituent companies into a consolidated
company and the vesting of the undertaking, property and liabilities of such companies to the
consolidated company. In order to effect such a merger or consolidation, the directors of each
constituent company must approve a written plan of merger or consolidation (a Plan), which must
then be authorized by either (a) a special resolution of the shareholders of each constituent
company voting together as one class if the shares to be issued to each shareholder in the
consolidated or surviving company will have the same rights and economic value as the shares held
in the relevant constituent company or (b) a shareholder resolution of each constituent company
passed by a majority in number representing 75% in value of the shareholders voting together as one
class. The Plan must be filed with the Registrar of Companies together with a declaration as to the
solvency of the consolidated or surviving company, a list of the assets and liabilities of each
constituent company and an undertaking that a copy of the certificate of merger or consolidation
will be given to the members and creditors of each constituent company and published in the Cayman
Islands Gazette. Dissenting shareholders have the right to be paid the fair value of their shares
(which, if not agreed between the parties, will be determined by the Cayman Islands court) if they
follow the required procedures, subject to certain exceptions. Court approval is not required for a
merger or consolidation which is effected in compliance with these statutory procedures.
In addition, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the reconstruction and
amalgamation of companies, provided that the arrangement is approved by a majority in number of
each class of shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be made, and who must in
addition represent three-fourths in value of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the
case may be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at a meeting, or meetings,
convened for that purpose. The convening of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be
sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a dissenting shareholder has the right
to express to the court the view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court can be
expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:
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the statutory provisions as to the due majority vote have been met;
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the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in question;
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S-39
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the arrangement is such that a businessman would reasonably approve; and
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the arrangement is not one that would more properly be sanctioned under some other
provision of the Companies Law.
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When a takeover offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of the shares within four
months, the offeror may, within a two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to
transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can be made to the Grand Court of the
Cayman Islands but this is unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith or
collusion.
If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the dissenting shareholder would have
no rights comparable to appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available to
dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing rights to receive payment in cash for
the judicially determined value of the shares.
Shareholders Suits
The Cayman Islands courts can be expected to follow English case law precedents. The common
law principles (namely the rule in Foss v. Harbottle and the exceptions thereto) which permit a
minority shareholder to commence a class action against or derivative actions in the name of the
Company to challenge (a) an act which is ultra vires the Company or illegal, (b) an act which
constitutes a fraud against the minority where the wrongdoers are themselves in control of the
Company, and (c) an action which requires a resolution with a qualified (or special) majority which
has not been obtained) have been applied and followed by the courts in the Cayman Islands.
Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of Liability
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a companys articles of association may
provide for indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent any such provision may
be held by the Cayman Islands courts to be contrary to public policy, such as to provide
indemnification against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime. Our amended and
restated memorandum and articles of association permit indemnification of officers and directors
for losses, damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such unless such losses or
damages arise from willful or gross negligence, or unlawful conduct of such directors or officers.
This standard of conduct is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General Corporation
Law for a Delaware corporation. In addition, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements
with our directors and senior executive officers that will provide such persons with additional
indemnification beyond that provided in our amended and restated memorandum and articles of
association.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to our directors, officers or persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have been
informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable as a matter of United States law.
Anti-Takeover Provisions in the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association
Some provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association may
discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or management that shareholders may
consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our board of directors to issue preference
shares in one or more series and to designate the price, rights, preferences, privileges and
restrictions of such preference shares without any further vote or action by our shareholders.
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only exercise the rights and powers
granted to them under our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended
and restated from time to time, for what they believe in good faith to be in the best interests of
our company.
Directors Fiduciary Duties
Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware corporation has a fiduciary duty to the
corporation and its shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and the duty of
loyalty. The duty of care
S-40
requires that a director act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent person
would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this duty, a director must inform himself of, and
disclose to shareholders, all material information reasonably available regarding a significant
transaction. The duty of loyalty requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably
believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He or she must not use his or her
corporate position for personal gain or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director
and mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its shareholders take precedence over
any interest possessed by a director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by the
shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director are presumed to have been made on an
informed basis, in good faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the best
interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may be rebutted by evidence of a breach of
one of the fiduciary duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a transaction by a
director, a director must prove the procedural fairness of the transaction, and that the
transaction was of fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman Islands company is in the position
of a fiduciary with respect to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the
following duties to the company a duty to act
bona fide
in the best interests of the company, a
duty not to make a profit based on his or her position as director (unless the company permits him
to do so) and a duty not to put himself in a position where the interests of the company conflict
with his or her personal interest or his or her duty to a third party. A director of a Cayman
Islands company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care. It was previously considered
that a director need not exhibit in the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill
than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her knowledge and experience. However,
English and Commonwealth courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to the
required skill and care and these authorities are likely to be followed in the Cayman Islands.
Shareholder Action by Written Consent
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may eliminate the right of
shareholders to act by written consent by amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Cayman
Islands law and our amended and restated articles of association provide that shareholders may
approve corporate matters by way of a unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each
shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter at a general meeting without a
meeting being held.
Shareholder Proposals
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has the right to put any proposal
before the annual meeting of shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in the
governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the board of directors or any other person
authorized to do so in the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from calling
special meetings.
Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated articles of association allow our shareholders
holding not less than 10% of the paid-up voting share capital of the company to requisition a
shareholders meeting. As an exempted Cayman Islands company, we are not obliged by law to call
shareholders annual general meetings. However, our amended and restated articles of association
require us to call such meetings if required by the Companies Law, other applicable law, rules or
regulations or the Nasdaq Rules.
Cumulative Voting
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting for elections of directors is
not permitted unless the corporations certificate of incorporation specifically provides for it.
Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the representation of minority shareholders on a board of
directors since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes to which the shareholder
is entitled on a single director, which increases the shareholders voting power with respect to
electing such director. As permitted under Cayman Islands law, our amended and restated articles of
association do not provide for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not afforded
any less protections or rights on this issue than shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal of Directors
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a corporation with a classified
board may be removed only for cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under our amended and
restated articles of association, directors
S-41
may be removed by ordinary resolution of the shareholders or all directors (other than the one
who is removed) passing a resolution or signing a notice effecting the removal of such a director
from his office.
Transactions with Interested Shareholders
The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business combination statute applicable to
Delaware corporations whereby, unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be governed
by such statute by amendment to its certificate of incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in
certain business combinations with an interested shareholder for three years following the date
that such person becomes an interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a person
or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the targets outstanding voting stock within
the past three years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a potential acquirer to make a
two-tiered bid for the target in which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute
does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on which such shareholder becomes an
interested shareholder, the board of directors approves either the business combination or the
transaction which resulted in the person becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any
potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the terms of any acquisition transaction
with the targets board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we cannot avail ourselves of the
types of protections afforded by the Delaware business combination statute. However, although
Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a company and its significant
shareholders, it does provide that such transactions must be entered into
bona fide
in the best
interests of the company and not with the effect of constituting a fraud on the minority
shareholders.
Dissolution; Winding Up
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of directors approves the
proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting
power of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the board of directors may it be
approved by a simple majority of the corporations outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a
Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of incorporation a supermajority voting
requirement in connection with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under the Companies Law of the
Cayman Islands and our amended and restated articles of association, our company may be dissolved,
liquidated or wound up by the passing of a special resolution.
Variation of Rights of Shares
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may vary the rights of a class of
shares with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the
certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman Islands law and our amended and
restated articles of association, if our share capital is divided into more than one class of
shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class only with the consent in writing of the
holders of 75% of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution
passed at a general meeting of the holders of the shares of that class.
Amendment of Governing Documents
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporations governing documents may be amended
with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the certificate
of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by Cayman Islands law, our amended and restated
memorandum and articles of association may only be amended by the passing of a special resolution.
Rights of Non-Resident or Foreign Shareholders
There are no limitations imposed by our amended and restated memorandum and articles of
association on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights
on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in our amended and restated memorandum and
articles of association governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder ownership must be
disclosed.
S-42
Directors Power to Issue Shares
Subject to applicable law, our board of directors is empowered to issue or allot shares or
grant options and warrants with or without preferred, deferred, qualified or other special rights
or restrictions. However, if any issue of shares (including any issue of ordinary shares or any
shares with preferred, deferred, qualified or other special rights or restrictions) is proposed and
such shares proposed to be issued are at least 20% by par value of the par value of all then issued
shares, then the prior approval by ordinary resolution of the holders of the ordinary shares,
voting together as one class, will be required. These provisions could have the effect of
discouraging third parties from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer or
similar transaction.
Ordinary Shares
In June 2006, as part of our corporate restructuring, we issued a total of 100,350,000
ordinary shares. These ordinary shares were issued to Yonghua Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd.,
WHF Investment Co., Ltd., YongGuan Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd., Yongfa Solar Power
Investment Holding Ltd., Yongliang Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd., Yongqiang Solar Power
Investment Holding Ltd., YongXing Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd. and Forever-brightness
Investments Limited.
In June and August 2006, we issued in a private placement an aggregate of 79,644,754 series A
convertible preference shares to Citigroup Venture Capital International Growth Partnership, L.P.,
Citigroup Venture Capital International Co-Investment, L.P., Hony Capital II L.P., LC Fund III
L.P., Good Energies Investments (Jersey) Limited and two individual investors at an average
purchase price of approximately US$0.67 per share for aggregate proceeds, before deduction of
transaction expenses, of US$53 million. All of these 79,644,754 series A convertible preference
shares were converted to ordinary shares of our company upon the completion of our initial public
offering.
We completed our initial public offering of 60,000,000 ordinary shares, in the form of ADSs,
at US$12.50 per ADS on December 26, 2006, after our ordinary shares and American Depositary
Receipts were registered under the Securities Act.
On January 29, 2008, we closed an offering of US$172.5 million 3.50% convertible senior notes
due 2018 to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and
received net proceeds of US$167.9 million. Holders may convert the notes into our ADSs.
Concurrently with this note offering, we closed an offering of 9,019,611 ADSs, representing
45,098,055 ordinary shares, to facilitate the note offering. We did not receive any proceeds, other
than the par value of the ADSs, from such offering of ADSs.
From July 17, 2008 to August 12, 2008, we issued and sold 5,421,093 ADSs in at-the-market
offerings with an aggregate sale price of US$73.9 million, of which we received net proceeds of
US$71.8 million.
From September 17, 2009 to November 18, 2009, we issued and sold 3,888,399 ADSs in
at-the-market offerings with an aggregate sale price of US$23.1 million, of which we received net
proceeds of US$21.8 million.
In September 2010, we issued in a private placement an aggregate of 36,455,089 ordinary shares
to Hanwha Solar at a purchase price of US$2.144 per share for an aggregate sale price of US$78.2
million. Concurrently with the closing of this offering, we issued
30,672,689 ordinary shares to
Hanwha Solar at par value of the ordinary shares and an additional
14,407,330 ordinary shares are expected to be issued to Hanwha Solar
at par value upon obtaining shareholder approval for this issuance.
Registration Rights
Pursuant to the registration rights agreement dated June 27, 2006, we granted to the holders
of our ordinary shares which were converted from our series A convertible preference shares certain
registration rights, which primarily include:
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Demand Registrations.
Upon request of any of the non-individual holders of our ordinary
shares which were converted from our series A convertible preference shares, we shall
effect registration with respect to the registrable securities held by such holders on a
form other than Form F-3 (or any comparable form for a registration for an offering in a
jurisdiction other than the United States), provided we shall only be obligated to effect
three such registrations.
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Piggyback Registrations.
The holders of our ordinary shares which were converted from
our series A convertible preference shares and their permitted transferees are entitled to
piggyback
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registration rights, whereby they may require us to register all or any part of the
registrable securities that they hold at the time when we register any of our ordinary
shares. All of such holders have waived their piggyback registration rights in this
offering.
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Registrations on
Form F-3
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We have granted the holders of our ordinary shares which were
converted from our series A convertible preference shares and their permitted transferees
of the registrable securities the right to an unlimited number of registrations under Form
F-3 (or any comparable form for a registration in a jurisdiction other than the United
States) to the extent we are eligible to use such form to offer securities.
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Pursuant to a shareholder agreement between Hanwha Solar and our company dated September 16,
2010, we granted to Hanwha Solar certain registration rights, which primarily include:
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Demand Registrations.
Upon the request of Hanwha Solar, we shall effect registration
with respect to the registrable securities held on a form other than Form F-3 (or any
comparable form for a registration for an offering in a jurisdiction other than the United
States), provided we shall only be obligated to effect three such registrations.
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Demand Registrations on
Form F-3
.
We have granted Hanwha Solar the right to register
under Form F-3 (or any comparable form for a registration in a jurisdiction other than the
United States) to the extent we are eligible to use such form to offer securities.
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Piggyback Registrations.
Hanwha Solar is entitled to piggyback registration rights,
whereby it may require us to register all or any part of the registrable securities that it
holds at the time when we register any of our ordinary shares.
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Lock-Up
Pursuant to a shareholder agreement between Hanwha Solar and our company dated September 16,
2010, for a period of one year, Hanwha Solar agreed not to sell, assign, transfer, distribute or
otherwise dispose of, or convey legal or beneficial interest in, or create, incur or assume any
lien with respect to, whether voluntary or involuntary, our ordinary shares, unless otherwise
approved by our independent directors, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, after the expiration of this one-year period,
Hanwha Solar agreed not to sell, assign, transfer, distribute or otherwise dispose of, or convey
legal or beneficial interest in, or create, incur or assume any lien with respect to, whether
voluntary or involuntary, our ordinary shares exceeding 25% of the total number of our ordinary
shares issued and outstanding in any 12-month period, subject to certain exceptions.
S-44
EXCHANGE RATE INFORMATION
The following table sets forth information regarding the rates in Renminbi per U.S. dollar for
the periods indicated.
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Renminbi per U.S. Dollar Rate
(1)
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Period End
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Average
(2)
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Low
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High
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2005
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8.0702
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8.1826
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8.0702
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8.2765
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2006
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7.8041
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7.9579
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7.8041
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8.0702
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2007
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7.2946
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7.5806
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7.2946
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7.8127
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2008
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6.8225
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6.9193
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6.7800
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7.2946
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2009
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6.8259
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6.8295
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6.8176
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6.8470
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2010
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May
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6.8305
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6.8275
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6.8245
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6.8310
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June
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6.7815
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6.8184
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6.7815
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6.8323
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July
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6.7735
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6.7762
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6.7709
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6.7807
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August
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6.8069
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6.7873
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6.7670
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6.8069
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September
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6.6905
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6.7396
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6.6869
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6.8102
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October
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6.6705
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6.6675
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6.6397
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6.6912
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(1)
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For periods prior to January 1, 2009, the exchange rates reflect the noon buying rates as
reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. For periods after January 1, 2009, the
exchange rates reflect the exchange rates as set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the
Federal Reserve Board.
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(2)
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Annual averages are calculated from month-end rates. Monthly averages are calculated using
the average of the daily rates during the relevant period.
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This prospectus contains translations of certain RMB amounts into U.S. dollar amounts at
specified rates. Unless otherwise stated, the translations of RMB into U.S. dollars have been made
at the exchange rate as set forth on September 30, 2010 in the H.10 statistical release of the
Federal Reserve Board, which was RMB6.6905 to US$1.00. We make no representation that the RMB or
U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been or could be converted into U.S.
dollars or RMB, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all. See Risk Factors Risks
Related to Our Company and Our Industry Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect
our business as well as result in foreign currency exchange losses and Risk Factors Risks
Related to Doing Business in China Restrictions on currency exchange may limit our ability to
receive and use our revenue effectively for discussions of the effects of fluctuating exchange
rates and currency control on the value of our ADSs. On October 29, 2010, the exchange rate as set
forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board was RMB6.6705 to US$1.00.
S-45
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
All of the ADSs sold in this offering and the ordinary shares they represent will be freely
transferable by persons other than our affiliates without restriction in the United States or
further registration under the Securities Act. Sales of substantial amounts of our ADSs in the
public market could adversely affect prevailing market prices of our ADSs.
The ordinary shares held by existing shareholders prior to, and those ordinary shares
converted from our series A convertible preference shares upon the completion of, our initial
public offering are restricted securities, as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act. These restricted securities may be sold in the United States only if they are
registered or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 or Rule 701 under
the Securities Act. These rules are described below.
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not
deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and
who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144 for at least six
months (including any period of consecutive ownership of preceding non-affiliated holders) would be
entitled to sell those shares, subject only to the availability of current public information about
us. A non-affiliated person who has beneficially owned restricted securities within the meaning of
Rule 144 for at least one year would be entitled to sell those shares without regard to the
provisions of Rule 144.
In general, under Rule 144, our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our
affiliates are entitled to sell upon expiration of the lock-up agreements described above, a number
of shares that does not exceed the greater of:
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1% of the number of ordinary shares then outstanding, in the form of ADSs or otherwise;
or
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the average weekly trading volume of the ADSs representing our ordinary shares on the
Nasdaq Global Market during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on
Form 144 with respect to such sale.
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Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling shares on behalf of our affiliates
are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the
availability of current public information about us.
Rule 701
Beginning 90 days after the date of this prospectus, persons other than affiliates who
purchased ordinary shares under a written compensatory plan or contract may be entitled to sell
such shares in reliance on Rule 701. Rule 701 permits affiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares
under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. Rule 701 further
provides that non-affiliates may sell these shares in reliance on Rule 144, subject only to its
manner-of-sale requirements. However, the Rule 701 shares would remain subject to lock-up
arrangements and would only become eligible for sale when the lock-up period expires.
S-46
TAXATION
The following summary of the material Cayman Islands, PRC and United States federal tax
consequences of an investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares is based upon laws and relevant
interpretations thereof in effect as of the date of this prospectus supplement, all of which are
subject to change. This summary does not deal with all possible tax consequences relating to an
investment in our ADSs or ordinary shares, such as the tax consequences under U.S., state, local
and other tax laws. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of Cayman Islands tax law,
it represents the opinion of Maples and Calder, our Cayman Islands counsel. To the extent the
discussion relates to PRC tax law, it represents the opinion of Grandall Legal Group (Shanghai),
our PRC counsel. To the extent that the discussion relates to matters of U.S. federal income tax
law, it represents the opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP, our special U.S. counsel.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The Cayman Islands currently levies no taxes on individuals or corporations based upon
profits, income, gains or appreciation and there is no taxation in the nature of inheritance tax or
estate duty. No Cayman Islands stamp duty will be payable unless an instrument is executed in,
brought to, or produced before a court of the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is not party to
any double tax treaties that are applicable to any payments made to or by our company. There are no exchange control regulations or currency restrictions in the
Cayman Islands.
PRC Taxation
Under the EIT, which took effect as of January 1, 2008, enterprises established under the laws
of non-PRC jurisdictions but whose de facto management body is located in the PRC are considered
resident enterprises for PRC tax purposes. The EIT does not define the term de facto
management. However, the Implementation Regulations for the Enterprise Income Tax Law of the PRC
issued by the State Council on December 6, 2007 defined de facto management body as an
establishment that exerts substantial and comprehensive management and control over the business
operations, staff, accounting, assets and other aspects of the enterprise. Since substantially all
of our management is currently based in the PRC, and may remain in the PRC in the foreseeable
future, it is likely that we will be regarded as a resident enterprise on a strict application of
the EIT and its Implementation Regulations. If Solarfun or any of its non-PRC subsidiaries is
treated as a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes, Solarfun or such subsidiary will be
subject to PRC income tax on worldwide income at a uniform tax rate of 25%, excluding the dividend
income received from our PRC subsidiaries which should have been subject to PRC income tax already.
Moreover, the EIT provides that an income tax rate of 10% is normally applicable to dividends
payable to non-PRC investors who are non-resident enterprises, to the extent such dividends are
derived from sources within the PRC. We are a Cayman Islands holding company and substantially all
of our income is expected to be derived from dividends we receive from our operating subsidiaries
located in the PRC (through our holding company structure). Thus, dividends paid to us by our
subsidiaries in China may be subject to the 10% income tax if we are considered a non-resident
enterprise under the EIT.
If we are deemed by the PRC tax authorities as a resident enterprise and declare dividends,
under the existing implementation rules of the EIT, dividends paid by us to our shareholders or ADS
holders, which are non- resident enterprises and do not have an establishment or place of
business in the PRC, or which have an establishment or place of business in the PRC but the
relevant income is not effectively connected with that establishment or place of business, might be
subject to PRC withholding tax at 10% or a lower treaty rate.
Similarly, any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or shares by non-PRC investors who are
non-resident enterprises, is also subject to 10% PRC withholding income tax if such gain is
regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC. If we are considered a resident
enterprise, it is unclear whether the dividends we pay with respect to our ordinary shares or
ADSs, or the gain you may realize from the transfer of our ordinary shares or ADSs, would be
treated as income derived from sources within the PRC and subject to PRC tax.
According to the EIT, PRC income tax at the rate of 20% is applicable to dividends payable to
individual investors if such dividends are regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC.
Any gain realized on the transfer of ADSs or shares by individual investors is also subject to PRC
tax at 20% if such gain is regarded as income derived from sources within the PRC. If we are deemed
by the PRC tax authorities as a resident enterprise, the dividends we pay to our individual
investors with respect to our ordinary shares or ADSs, or the gain the individual investors may
realize from the transfer of our ordinary shares or ADSs, might be treated as
S-47
income derived from sources within the PRC and be subject to PRC tax at 20% or a lower treaty
rate. Under the current double taxation treaty between the PRC and the United States, for
beneficial owners of shares who are tax-resident in the United States who qualify for the benefits
of the treaty, and whose ownership of the shares is not attributable to an establishment or place
of business in the PRC, the applicable treaty rate on dividends is 10% (the Treaty Rate).
U.S. Federal Income Taxation
The following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S.
Holders (defined below) under present law of an investment in the ADSs or ordinary shares. This
summary applies only to investors that hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets. This
discussion is based on the tax laws of the United States as in effect on the date of this
prospectus supplement and on U.S. Treasury regulations in effect or in some cases, proposed, as of
the date of this prospectus supplement, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations
thereof available on or before such date. All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change,
which change could apply retroactively and could affect the tax consequences described below.
The following discussion does not deal with the tax consequences to any particular investor or
to persons in special tax situations such as:
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certain financial institutions;
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insurance companies;
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broker dealers;
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U.S. expatriates;
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traders that elect to mark-to-market;
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tax-exempt entities;
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persons liable for alternative minimum tax;
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persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;
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persons holding an ADS or ordinary share as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or
integrated transaction; or
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persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting stock.
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PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF THE
U.S. FEDERAL TAX RULES TO THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS THE STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN
TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF ADSs OR ORDINARY SHARES.
The discussion below of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders will apply
if you are a beneficial owner of ADSs or ordinary shares and you are, for U.S. federal income tax
purposes:
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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
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a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any state in the United States or
the District of Columbia;
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an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its
source; or
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a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United
States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions
of the trust or (2) was in
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S-48
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existence on August 20, 1996, was treated as a U.S. person under the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, on the previous day and has a valid election in effect
under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
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If you are a partner in a partnership or other entity taxable as a partnership for U.S.
federal income tax purposes that holds ADSs or ordinary shares, your tax treatment generally will
depend on your status and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership or a partner
in a partnership holding ADSs or ordinary shares, you should consult your own tax advisors.
The U.S. Treasury has expressed concerns that parties to whom depositary shares are released
before shares are delivered to the depositary (pre-release), or intermediaries in the chain of
ownership between owners and the issuer of the security underlying the depositary shares may be
taking actions that are inconsistent with the claiming of foreign tax credits by owners of
depositary shares. Such actions would also be inconsistent with the claiming of the reduced rate of
tax, described below, applicable to dividends received by certain non-corporate owners.
Accordingly, the analysis of the creditability of any foreign taxes and the availability of the
reduced tax rate for dividends received by certain U.S. Holders of ADSs, each described below,
could be affected by actions taken by parties to whom the ADSs are released.
The discussion below assumes that the representations contained in the deposit agreement are
true and that the obligations in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be complied
with in accordance with their terms. If you hold ADSs, you should be treated as the holder of the
underlying ordinary shares represented by those ADSs for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Exchanges of ordinary shares for ADSs and ADSs for ordinary shares generally will not be subject to
U.S. federal income tax.
Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, the gross amount of
any distribution (including constructive dividends) to you with respect to the ADSs or ordinary
shares generally will be included in your gross income as dividend income on the date of actual or
constructive receipt by the depositary, in the case of ADSs, or by you, in the case of ordinary
shares, but only to the extent that the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated
earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles). The dividends will
not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction allowed to corporations in respect of
dividends received from U.S. corporations.
With respect to certain non-corporate U.S. Holders, including individual U.S. Holders, for
taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, dividends may constitute qualified dividend
income and be taxed at the lower applicable capital gains rate, provided that (1) the ADSs or
ordinary shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States, (2)
we are not a passive foreign investment company (as discussed below) for either our taxable year in
which the dividend was paid or the preceding taxable year, and (3) certain holding period
requirements are met. Under U.S. Internal Revenue Service authority, ordinary shares, or ADSs
representing such shares, are considered for the purpose of clause (1) above to be readily tradable
on an established securities market in the United States if they are listed on the Nasdaq Global
Market, as our ADSs are. You should consult your tax advisors regarding the availability of the
lower rate for dividends paid with respect to our ADSs or ordinary shares.
Dividends will constitute foreign source income for U.S. foreign tax credit limitation
purposes. If the dividends are qualified dividend income (as discussed above), the amount of the
dividend taken into account for purposes of calculating the U.S. foreign tax credit limitation will
in general be limited to the gross amount of the dividend, multiplied by the reduced rate divided
by the highest rate of tax normally applicable to dividends. The limitation on foreign taxes
eligible for credit is calculated separately with respect to specific classes of income. For this
purpose, dividends distributed by us with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares will generally
constitute passive category income but could, in the case of certain U.S. Holders, constitute
general category income.
Subject to certain conditions and limitations, PRC withholding taxes on dividends at a rate
not exceeding the Treaty Rate may be treated as foreign taxes eligible for credit against your U.S.
federal income tax. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the creditability
of any PRC tax, in their particular circumstances.
S-49
To the extent that the amount of the distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings
and profits, it will be treated first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your ADSs or
ordinary shares, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds your tax basis, the
excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under
U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, you should expect that any distribution we make will
generally be treated as a dividend.
Taxation of Disposition of ADSs or Ordinary Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, you will recognize
taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of an ADS or ordinary share
equal to the difference between the amount realized for the ADS or ordinary share and your tax
basis in the ADS or ordinary share. The gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss. If you
are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who has held the ADS or
ordinary share for more than one year, you will be eligible for reduced tax rates. The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you recognize
will generally be treated as U.S. source income or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.
If PRC withholding tax were to apply to a sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of an
ADS or ordinary share, as described above under PRC Taxation, you generally would only be able
to claim a foreign tax credit for the amount withheld to the extent that you have sufficient
foreign source income. In the event that PRC tax is withheld from a sale, exchange or other taxable
disposition of an ADS or ordinary share, a U.S. Holder that is eligible for the benefits of the
income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC may be able to elect to treat the gain from
such a disposition as foreign source for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If PRC tax is
withheld, you should consult your own tax advisor regarding your eligibility for the benefits of
the income tax treaty between the United States and the PRC and the creditability of any PRC tax in
your particular circumstances.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
We do not expect to be a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income
tax purposes for our current taxable year ending December 31, 2010 or in the foreseeable future.
Our actual PFIC status for the current taxable year ending December 31, 2010 and any future taxable
year depends on the composition of our income and assets for the applicable taxable year and cannot
be determined until the close of the applicable taxable year. Accordingly, there is no guarantee
that we will not be a PFIC for the current taxable year or any future taxable year. A non-U.S.
corporation is considered to be a PFIC for any taxable year if either:
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at least 75% of its gross income is passive income; or
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at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of
the assets during a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for
the production of passive income.
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We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and our receiving
proportionate share of the income of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly,
more than 25% (by value) of the stock.
We must make a separate determination each year as to whether we are a PFIC. As a result, our
PFIC status may change. If we are a PFIC for any year during which you hold ADSs or ordinary
shares, unless you make a mark-to-market election as discussed below, we generally will continue
to be treated as a PFIC for all succeeding years during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares.
If we are a PFIC for any taxable year during which you hold ADSs or ordinary shares, you will
be subject to special tax rules with respect to any excess distribution that you receive and any
gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the ADSs or ordinary
shares, unless you make a mark-to-market election as discussed below. Distributions you receive
in a taxable year that are greater than 125% of the average annual distributions you received
during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for the ADSs or
ordinary shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
S-50
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the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for
the ADSs or ordinary shares;
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the amount allocated to the current taxable year, and any taxable year prior to the
first taxable year in which we became a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income; and
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the amount allocated to each other year will be subject to the highest tax rate in
effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax
will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable to each such year.
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The tax liability for amounts allocated to years prior to the year of disposition or excess
distribution cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and gains (but not
losses) realized on the sale of the ADSs or ordinary shares cannot be treated as capital, even if
you hold the ADSs or ordinary shares as capital assets.
Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of marketable stock (as defined below) in a PFIC may make a
mark-to-market election for such stock of a PFIC to elect out of the tax treatment under the excess
distribution regime. If you make a mark-to-market election for the ADSs or ordinary shares, you
will include in income each year an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of
the ADSs or ordinary shares as of the close of your taxable year over your adjusted basis in such
ADSs or ordinary shares. You are allowed a deduction for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis
of the ADSs or ordinary shares over their fair market value as of the close of the taxable year.
However, deductions are allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the ADSs or
ordinary shares included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income
under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the actual sale or other disposition of the
ADSs or ordinary shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies to
the deductible portion of any mark-to-market loss on the ADSs or ordinary shares, as well as to any
loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares, to the extent that
the amount of such loss does not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such
ADSs or ordinary shares. Your basis in the ADSs or ordinary shares will be adjusted to reflect any
such income or loss amounts. The U.S. federal income tax rules that apply to distributions by
corporations that are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us.
The mark-to-market election is available only for marketable stock, which is stock that is
regularly traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each calendar
quarter on a qualified exchange, including the Nasdaq, or other market, as defined in applicable
U.S. Treasury regulations. The ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq, and we expect that they will continue
to be regularly traded on the Nasdaq. Consequently, if you are a holder of ADSs, the mark-to-market
election should be available to you were we to be or become a PFIC.
If you hold ADSs or ordinary shares in any year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required
to file U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 regarding distributions received on the ADSs or
ordinary shares, any gain realized on the disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares and any
reportable election with respect to the ADSs or ordinary shares in accordance with the
instructions to such form. In addition, each U.S. shareholder of a PFIC is required to file such
annual information as is specified by the U.S. Treasury Department. You should consult your own tax
advisor concerning the reporting requirements that would apply if we were to be a PFIC for any
taxable year.
In addition, if we are a PFIC, we do not intend to prepare or provide you with the information
necessary to make a qualified electing fund election.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding and Other Reporting Requirements
Dividend payments with respect to ADSs or ordinary shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange
or redemption of ADSs or ordinary shares may be subject to information reporting to the U.S.
Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding. Backup withholding will not apply,
however, if you are a corporation or a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification
number and makes any other required certification or if you are otherwise exempt from backup
withholding. If you are a U.S. Holder who is required to establish exempt status, you generally
must provide such certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9. U.S. Holders should
consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup
withholding rules.
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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be
credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess
amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with
the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and furnishing any required information in a timely manner.
In addition, for taxable years beginning after March 18, 2010, certain U.S. Holders who are
individuals that hold certain foreign financial assets (which may include the ADSs or ordinary
shares) are required to report information relating to such assets, subject to certain exceptions.
You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the effect, if any, of these rules on your
ownership and disposition of the ADSs or ordinary shares.
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UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions of the underwriting agreement, the underwriters named
below, through their representatives, namely, Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc and UBS
Securities LLC, have severally agreed to purchase from us the following respective number of ADSs:
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Underwriters
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Number of ADSs
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Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc
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UBS Securities LLC
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HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
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Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
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Total
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The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the several underwriters to
purchase ADSs offered hereby are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters
will purchase all of the ADSs offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus, other than those covered by the over-allotment option described below, if any of these
ADSs are purchased.
We have been advised by the managers for the underwriters that the underwriters propose to
offer the ADSs to the public at the public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus
supplement and to dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of US$ per ADS
under the public offering price. The underwriters may allow, and these dealers may re-allow, a
concession of not more than US$ per ADS to other dealers. After the initial public offering,
representatives of the underwriters may change the offering price and other selling terms.
We have granted to the underwriters an option, exercisable not later than 30 days after the
date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to US$10,176,548 aggregate sale price of
additional ADSs at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set
forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement. The underwriters may exercise this option
only to cover over-allotments made in connection with the sale of the ADSs offered by this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. To the extent that the underwriters exercise
this option, each of the underwriters will become obligated, subject to conditions, to purchase
approximately the same percentage of these additional ADSs as the number of ADSs to be purchased by
it in the above table bears to the total number of ADSs offered by this prospectus supplement and
the accompanying prospectus. We are required, pursuant to the option, to sell these additional ADSs
to the underwriters to the extent the option is exercised. If any additional ADSs are purchased,
the underwriters will offer the additional ADSs on the same terms as those on which the ADSs are
being offered.
The underwriting discounts and commissions per ADS are equal to the public offering price per
ADS less the amount paid by the underwriters to us per ADS. The underwriting discounts and
commissions are % of the public offering price. We have agreed to pay the underwriters the
following discounts and commissions, assuming either no exercise or full exercise by the
underwriters of the underwriters over-allotment option:
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Total Fees
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With Full
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Without Exercise of
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Exercise of
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Over-Allotment
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Over-Allotment
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Fee per ADS
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Option
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Option
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Discounts and commissions
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US$
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US$
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US$
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We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against some specified types of liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to contribute to payments the underwriters may
be required to make in respect of any of these liabilities.
We have agreed that, without the prior written consent of the managers on behalf of the
underwriters, for a period of 90 days after the date of this prospectus supplement, subject to
the exceptions specified below, we will not:
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offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase
any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or
otherwise transfer or
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dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ordinary shares or ADSs or any securities
convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs;
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enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part,
any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ordinary shares or ADSs; or
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any ordinary shares or ADSs or any securities convertible into or exercisable or
exchangeable for ordinary shares or ADSs;
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whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of ADSs, ordinary shares
or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing restrictions will not apply to (1)
the ordinary shares or ADSs to be sold pursuant to this prospectus supplement; (2) the issuance by
us of ordinary shares or ADSs upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a
security outstanding on the date hereof of which the underwriters have been advised in writing, or
(3) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the
transfer of ordinary shares or ADSs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) during the last 17 days
of the 90-day lock-up period we issue an earnings release or material news or a material event
relating to us occurs, or (ii) prior to the expiration of the 90-day lock-up period, we announce
that we will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the
90-day lock-up period, the lock-up will continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period
beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or
material event.
In addition, each of our executive officers,
directors and Hanwha Solar, have agreed that, without the prior written consent of the managers on behalf
of the underwriters, they will not, during the period ending 90 days after the date of this
prospectus supplement:
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offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase
any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, lend, or
otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any ordinary shares or ADSs
beneficially owned (as such term is used in the Exchange Act) by them or any other
securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for ordinary shares or
ADSs; or
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enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part,
any of the economic consequences of ownership of the ordinary shares or ADSs;
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whether any such transaction described above is to be settled by delivery of ordinary shares, ADSs
or such other securities, in cash or otherwise. The foregoing restrictions will not apply to (1)
transactions relating to shares of ordinary shares or ADSs or other securities acquired in open
market transactions after the completion of this offering; (2) transfers of any ordinary shares or
ADSs or any security convertible into ordinary shares as a bona fide gift; (3) distributions of any
ordinary shares, ADSs or any security convertible into ordinary shares or ADSs to limited partners
or stockholders of the undersigned; provided that in the case of any transfer or distribution
pursuant to (2) or (3), each donee or distributee shall sign and deliver a lock-up letter
substantially in the form of this letter; or (4) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to
Rule 10b5-l under the Exchange Act for the transfer of ordinary shares or ADSs, provided that such
plan does not provide for the transfer of ordinary shares or ADSs during the restricted period and
no public announcement or filing under the Exchange Act regarding the establishment of such plan
shall be required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of such officer, director, shareholder or
us. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) during the last 17 days of the 90-day lock-up period we
issue an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to us occurs, or (ii) prior
to the expiration of the 90-day lock-up period, we announce that we will release earnings results
during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 90-day lock-up period, the lock-up will
continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the
earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event.
In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell ADSs in the open
market. These transactions may include short sales, purchases to cover positions created by short
sales and stabilizing transactions.
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Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of ADSs than they are
required to purchase in the offering. Covered short sales are sales made in an amount not greater
than the underwriters option to purchase additional ADSs from us in the offering. The underwriters
may close out any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional
ADSs or purchasing ADSs in the open market. In determining the source of ADSs to close out the
covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of ADSs
available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase ADSs
through the over-allotment option.
Naked short sales are any sales in excess of the over-allotment option. The underwriters must
close out any naked short position by purchasing ADSs in the open market. A naked short position is
more likely to be created if underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the
price of the ADSs in the open market prior to the completion of this offering.
Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of our ADSs made by the
underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of this offering.
The underwriters may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to
the other underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the managers
for the underwriters have repurchased ADSs sold by or for the account of that underwriter in
stabilizing or short covering transactions.
Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions may have the effect of
preventing or slowing a decline in the market price of our ADSs. Additionally, these purchases,
along with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the
market price of our ADSs. As a result, the price of our ADSs may be higher than the price that
might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the Nasdaq Global
Market, in the over-the-counter market, or otherwise.
A prospectus in electronic format is being made available on Internet web sites maintained by
one or more of the underwriters of this offering and may be made available on web sites maintained
by other underwriters. Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any
underwriters web site and any information contained in any other web site maintained by an
underwriter is not part of this prospectus supplement or accompanying prospectus or the
registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus forms a
part.
Our ADSs are listed on Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol SOLF.
Some of the underwriters or their affiliates have provided investment banking or commercial
banking services to us in the past and may do so in the future. They receive customary fees and
commissions for these services.
Morgan Stanley & Co. International plcs address is 25 Cabot Square, Canary Wharf, London E14
4QA, United Kingdom and UBS Securities LLCs address is 299 Park Avenue, New York, New York
10171-0026.
Selling Restrictions
No action may be taken in any jurisdiction other than the United States that would permit a
public offering of the ADSs. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not
constitute an offer of, or an invitation by or on behalf of, us or the underwriters, to subscribe
for or purchase any of the ADSs in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make
such an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. The distribution of this prospectus supplement
and the accompanying prospectus and the offering of the ADSs in certain jurisdictions may be
restricted by law, and we and the underwriters require persons into whose possession this
prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus come to observe such restrictions.
Australia
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not a disclosure document under
Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), or the Australian Corporations Act, has not been
lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission and does not purport to include
the information required of a disclosure document under Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations
Act. Accordingly, (i) the offer of the ADSs under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus is only made to persons to whom it is
S-55
lawful to offer the ADSs without disclosure under Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations
Act under one or more exemptions set out in section 708 of the Australian Corporations Act, (ii)
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is made available in Australia only to
those persons as set forth in clause (i) above, and (iii) the offeree must be sent a notice stating
in substance that by accepting this offer, the offeree represents that the offeree is such a person
as set forth in clause (i) above, and, unless permitted under the Australian Corporations Act,
agrees not to sell or offer for sale within Australia any of the ADSs sold to the offeree within 12
months after its transfer to the offeree under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus.
Cayman Islands
Neither this prospectus supplement nor the accompanying prospectus constitutes an invitation
or offer to the public in the Cayman Islands of the ADSs, whether by way of sale or subscription.
The underwriters have not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any
shares in the Cayman Islands.
European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the
Prospectus Directive (each, a Relevant Member State) an offer to the public of any ADSs which are
the subject of this offering may not be made in that Relevant Member State except that an offer to
the public in the Relevant Member State of any ADSs may be made at any time under the following
exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member
State:
(a) to legal entities which are authorized or regulated to operate in the financial markets
or, if not authorized or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;
(b) to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees
during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than EUR43,000,000 and (3) an
annual net turnover of more than EUR50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated
accounts;
(c) by the underwriters to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified
investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent of the
underwriters for any such offer; or
(d) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an offer to the public in relation to any
ADSs in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of
sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any ADSs to be offered so as to enable an
investor to decide to purchase the ADSs, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any
measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression Prospectus
Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each
Relevant Member State.
Hong Kong
(a) The ADSs may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong, by means of any document, other than
(i) to professional investors as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of
Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (ii) in other circumstances which do not
result in the document being a prospectus as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of
Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that
Ordinance; and
(b) No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the ADSs may be issued, whether in
Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at or the contents of which are likely to be accessed
or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of
Hong Kong) other than with respect to the ADSs which are or are intended to be disposed of only
to persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional investors as defined in the Securities
and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance.
S-56
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may not be distributed in Saudi
Arabia or to any national of Saudi Arabia except in strict compliance with part 5 exempt offers
Article 17 of the Offers of Securities Regulations enacted under the laws of Saudi Arabia.
Peoples Republic of China
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been and will not be
circulated or distributed in the PRC, and ADSs may not be offered or sold, and will not be offered
or sold to any person for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, to any resident of the PRC
except pursuant to applicable laws and regulations of the PRC.
Singapore
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a
prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and
the accompanying prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or
sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the ADSs may not be circulated or distributed,
nor may the ADSs be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or
purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an
institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of
Singapore (the SFA), (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in
accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to,
and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.
Where the ADSs are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is:
(a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to
hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each
of whom is an accredited investor; or
(b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold
investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor,
shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries
rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation
or that trust has acquired the ADSs under Section 275 except:
(1) to an institutional investor or to a relevant person, or to any person pursuant to
an offer that is made on terms that such rights or interest are acquired at a consideration
of not less than $200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction,
whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets;
(2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or
(3) by operation of law.
State of Kuwait
Unless all of the approvals and licenses which are required pursuant to Law No. 31/1990 are
obtained from the Kuwait Ministry of Commerce and Industry, no ADSs may be marketed, offered for
sale or sold in Kuwait, either directly or indirectly.
Switzerland
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus does not constitute a prospectus
within the meaning of Article 652a or 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations (Schweizerisches
Obligationenrecht), and none of this offering and the ADSs has been or will be approved by any
Swiss regulatory authority.
S-57
United Arab Emirates
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not intended to constitute an
offer, sale or delivery of shares or other securities under the laws of the United Arab Emirates,
or the UAE. The ADSs have not been and will not be registered under Federal Law No. 4 of 2000
Concerning the Emirates Securities and Commodities Authority and the Emirates Security and
Commodity Exchange, or with the UAE Central Bank, the Dubai Financial Market, the Abu Dhabi
Securities Market or with any other UAE exchange.
The offering, the ADSs and interests therein have not been approved or licensed by the UAE
Central Bank or any other relevant licensing authorities in the UAE, and do not constitute a public
offer of securities in the UAE in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law, Federal Law No. 8
of 1984 (as amended) or otherwise.
In relation to its use in the UAE, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus
are strictly private and confidential and is being distributed to a limited number of investors and
must not be provided to any person other than the original recipient, and may not be reproduced or
used for any other purpose. The interests in the ADSs may not be offered or sold directly or
indirectly to the public in the UAE.
United Kingdom
The ADSs may not be offered or sold other than to persons whose ordinary activities involve
them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the
purposes of their businesses or who it is reasonable to expect will acquire, hold, manage or
dispose of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses where the issue
of the ADSs would otherwise constitute a contravention of Section 19 of the Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000, or FSMA, by the issuer. In addition, no person may communicate or cause to be
communicated any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of
Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the ADSs other than
in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the issuer.
S-58
LEGAL MATTERS
We are being represented by Shearman & Sterling LLP with respect to legal matters of United
States federal securities and New York State law. Certain legal matters in connection with the
offering of the ADSs will be passed upon for the underwriters by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. The
validity of the ordinary shares represented by ADSs offered in this offering will be passed upon
for us by Maples and Calder. Legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by Grandall
Legal Group (Shanghai).
S-59
EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements appearing in our annual report on Form 20-F for the year
ended December 31, 2009 and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2009 have been audited by Ernst & Young Hua Ming, independent registered public
accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein
by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and our managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 are incorporated
herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
The offices of Ernst & Young Hua Ming are located at 50th floor, Shanghai World
Financial Center, 100 Century Avenue, Pudong New Area, Shanghai, China.
S-60
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US
We have filed a registration statement with the SEC on Form F-3 under the Securities Act
relating to the ADSs and underlying ordinary shares to be sold in this offering. This prospectus
supplement, which constitutes a part of that registration statement, does not contain all of the
information contained in the registration statement. You should read the registration statement,
its exhibits and schedules and documents incorporated by reference in the registration statement
for further information with respect to us, our ordinary shares and our ADSs.
We are currently subject to periodic reporting and other information requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as applicable to foreign private
issuers. Accordingly, we are required to file or furnish reports, including annual reports on Form
20-F, reports on Form 6-K, and other information with the SEC. As a foreign private issuer, we are
exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy
statements and our officers, directors and principal shareholders will be exempt from the reporting
and short-swing profit recovery provisions of the Exchange Act.
All information filed with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the public reference
facilities of the SEC, at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. You can request copies of
these documents upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. We file reports with the SEC
electronically. The reports that we have filed with the SEC electronically are available to you
over the Internet at the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings, including this
prospectus supplement, and other information may also be inspected at the offices of the Nasdaq
Global Market, Reports Section, 1735 K Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006.
We furnish to The Bank of New York Mellon, as the depositary for the ADSs, annual reports,
which include annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S.
GAAP. The depositary has agreed that, at our request, it will promptly mail these reports to all
registered holders of ADSs. We also furnish to the depositary all notices of shareholders meetings
and other reports and communications that are made generally available to our shareholders. The
depositary, upon our written request, will arrange for the mailing of these documents to record
holders of ADSs.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus supplement.
This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document
that we have filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered
to be part of this prospectus supplement, and certain later information that we file with the SEC
will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the following
documents:
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our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, filed with
the SEC on May 25, 2010, as amended on June 29, 2010;
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our current report on Form 6-K, submitted to the SEC on May 28, 2010;
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our current report on Form 6-K/A, submitted to the SEC on July 1, 2010;
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our current reports on Form 6-K, submitted to the SEC on July 20, 2010;
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our current report on Form 6-K, submitted to the SEC on July 22, 2010;
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our current report on Form 6-K, submitted to the SEC on July 27, 2010;
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our current reports on Form 6-K, submitted to the SEC on August 3, 2010;
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our current report on Form 6-K, submitted to the SEC on August 9, 2010;
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our current report on Form 6-K, submitted to the SEC on August 17, 2010;
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our current reports on Form 6-K, submitted to the SEC on October 12, 2010;
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our current reports on Form 6-K, submitted to the SEC on November 9, 2010; and
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any future information contained in filings on Form 6-K made with the SEC under the
Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of
the offering as described in this prospectus supplement, that is identified in such forms
as being incorporated into this prospectus supplement.
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We will provide, without charge, to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this
prospectus supplement is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any document
incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement but not delivered with this prospectus
supplement. You may also obtain these filings electronically at the SECs website at
http://www.sec.gov.
S-62
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
INDEX TO UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
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Page
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Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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F-2
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F-3
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F-4 F-5
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F-6
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F-7
F-20
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SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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As of
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As of
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December 31,
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September 30,
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Note
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2009
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2010
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2010
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(RMB000)
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(RMB000)
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(US$000)
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(unaudited)
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(unaudited)
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ASSETS:
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Current assets:
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Cash and cash equivalents
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645,720
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1,296,734
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193,817
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Restricted cash
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60,539
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63,858
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9,545
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Accounts receivable net
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587,488
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1,289,932
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192,800
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Inventories net
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3
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783,973
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689,566
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103,066
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Advance to suppliers net
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4
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979,762
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1,246,336
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186,284
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Other current assets
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180,315
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236,285
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35,318
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Deferred tax assets net
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63,115
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75,734
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11,320
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Derivative contracts
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11
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7,360
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1,910
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285
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Amount due from related parties
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12,458
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Total current assets
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3,320,730
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4,900,355
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732,435
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Non-current assets:
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Fixed assets net
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1,586,283
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1,829,395
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273,432
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Intangible assets net
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208,563
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206,856
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30,918
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Deferred tax assets net
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13,789
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16,239
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2,427
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Long-term deferred expenses
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33,158
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29,639
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4,430
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Goodwill
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134,735
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134,735
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20,138
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Total non-current assets
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1,976,528
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2,216,864
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331,345
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Total assets
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5,297,258
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7,117,219
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1,063,780
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
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Current liabilities:
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Short-term bank borrowings
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5
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404,764
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748,010
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111,802
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Long-term bank borrowings, current portion
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5
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90,000
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202,500
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30,267
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Accounts payable
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441,768
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528,902
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79,053
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Notes payable
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186,921
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142,509
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21,300
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Accrued expenses and other liabilities
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191,895
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356,860
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53,338
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Customer deposits
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59,685
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127,498
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19,057
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Deferred tax liabilities
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766
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115
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Unrecognized tax benefit
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6
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27,385
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27,385
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4,093
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Derivative contracts
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11
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1,148
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70,605
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10,553
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Amount due to related parties
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16,765
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13,767
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2,058
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Total current liabilities
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1,420,331
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2,218,802
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331,636
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Non-current liabilities:
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Long-term bank borrowings
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5
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380,000
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200,000
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29,893
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Deferred tax liabilities
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26,566
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26,124
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3,905
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Convertible bonds
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8
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658,653
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928,369
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138,759
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Total non-current liabilities
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1,065,219
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1,154,493
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172,557
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Total liabilities
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2,485,550
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3,373,295
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504,193
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Commitments and contingencies
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10
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Redeemable ordinary shares
(par value
US$0.0001 per share; 45,098,055 shares
issued and outstanding at December 31, 2009
and September 30, 2010 (unaudited))
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13
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55
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55
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8
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Shareholders equity
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Ordinary shares (par value US$0.0001
per share; 500,000,000, and
500,000,000 shares authorized;
290,708,739 shares and 328,663,828
shares issued and outstanding at
December 31, 2009, and September 30,
2010 (unaudited), respectively)
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|
|
227
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|
252
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38
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Additional paid-in capital
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2,331,797
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2,877,447
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430,079
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Statutory reserves
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69,564
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151,541
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22,650
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Retained earnings
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410,065
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714,629
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106,812
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Total shareholders equity
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2,811,653
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3,743,869
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559,579
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Total liabilities, redeemable
ordinary shares and
shareholders equity
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5,297,258
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7,117,219
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1,063,780
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements
F-2
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
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For the nine months ended September 30,
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Note
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2009
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2010
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|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
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(RMB000)
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(US$000)
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(unaudited)
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(unaudited)
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(unaudited)
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Net revenues
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2,525,605
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5,414,289
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809,252
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Cost of revenues
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|
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(2,324,795
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)
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(4,276,595
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)
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|
(639,204
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)
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|
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Gross profit
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|
|
|
|
200,810
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1,137,694
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|
|
|
170,048
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Operating expenses:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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Selling expenses
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|
|
|
|
|
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(59,340
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)
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|
|
(112,914
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)
|
|
|
(16,877
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)
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(130,123
|
)
|
|
|
(135,835
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)
|
|
|
(20,303
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)
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Research and development expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19,182
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)
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|
|
(38,878
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)
|
|
|
(5,811
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)
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total operating expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(208,645
|
)
|
|
|
(287,627
|
)
|
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|
(42,991
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)
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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|
Operating (loss) profit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(7,835
|
)
|
|
|
850,067
|
|
|
|
127,057
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(118,245
|
)
|
|
|
(121,019
|
)
|
|
|
(18,088
|
)
|
Interest income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,704
|
|
|
|
3,791
|
|
|
|
567
|
|
Exchange losses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,120
|
)
|
|
|
(53,049
|
)
|
|
|
(7,929
|
)
|
Changes in fair value of derivative contracts
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
(5,803
|
)
|
|
|
40,026
|
|
|
|
5,983
|
|
Changes in fair value of conversion feature of
convertible bonds
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
(2,608
|
)
|
|
|
(223,968
|
)
|
|
|
(33,476
|
)
|
Other income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,021
|
|
|
|
17,290
|
|
|
|
2,584
|
|
Other expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(9,789
|
)
|
|
|
(3,771
|
)
|
|
|
(564
|
)
|
Government grants
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
|
5,661
|
|
|
|
26,229
|
|
|
|
3,920
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Loss) income before income taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(139,014
|
)
|
|
|
535,596
|
|
|
|
80,054
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16,590
|
)
|
|
|
(149,055
|
)
|
|
|
(22,279
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated net (loss) income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(155,604
|
)
|
|
|
386,541
|
|
|
|
57,775
|
|
Net income attributable to
non-controlling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(244
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income attributable to Solarfun
Power Holdings Co., Ltd. shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(155,848
|
)
|
|
|
386,541
|
|
|
|
57,775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net (loss) income attributable to Solarfun
Power Holdings Co., Ltd. shareholders
per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
(0.58
|
)
|
|
|
1.32
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
(0.58
|
)
|
|
|
1.32
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares used in computation
of net (loss) income per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
269,395,297
|
|
|
|
291,904,408
|
|
|
|
291,904,408
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
269,395,297
|
|
|
|
292,740,592
|
|
|
|
292,740,592
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements
F-3
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated net (loss) income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(155,604
|
)
|
|
|
386,541
|
|
|
|
57,775
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized loss from derivative contracts
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
75,362
|
|
|
|
74,907
|
|
|
|
11,196
|
|
Changes in fair value of conversion feature of convertible
bonds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,608
|
|
|
|
223,968
|
|
|
|
33,476
|
|
Loss from disposal of fixed assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
|
818
|
|
|
|
122
|
|
Amortization of convertible bonds discount
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36,855
|
|
|
|
45,748
|
|
|
|
6,838
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
110,102
|
|
|
|
136,098
|
|
|
|
20,342
|
|
Amortization of long-term deferred expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,100
|
|
|
|
5,378
|
|
|
|
804
|
|
Stock compensation expenses
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
34,162
|
|
|
|
25,227
|
|
|
|
3,771
|
|
Write-down of inventories
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
242,233
|
|
|
|
99,223
|
|
|
|
14,830
|
|
Provision for doubtful collection of accounts receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,005
|
|
|
|
150
|
|
Reversal of doubtful debt for accounts receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(18,091
|
)
|
|
|
(278
|
)
|
|
|
(42
|
)
|
Provision for doubtful collection of supplier advances
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
234,561
|
|
|
|
117
|
|
|
|
17
|
|
Deferred tax benefit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,105
|
|
|
|
(14,745
|
)
|
|
|
(2,204
|
)
|
Warranty provision
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,128
|
|
|
|
48,305
|
|
|
|
7,220
|
|
Unrecognized tax benefit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,082
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,155
|
)
|
|
|
3,261
|
|
|
|
487
|
|
Accounts receivable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(387,698
|
)
|
|
|
(703,171
|
)
|
|
|
(105,100
|
)
|
Inventories
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(318,940
|
)
|
|
|
(4,816
|
)
|
|
|
(720
|
)
|
Advance to suppliers
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
83,173
|
|
|
|
(266,691
|
)
|
|
|
(39,861
|
)
|
Prepaid expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67,712
|
|
|
|
58,556
|
|
|
|
8,752
|
|
Other current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
130,994
|
|
|
|
(114,526
|
)
|
|
|
(17,118
|
)
|
Amount due from related parties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(42,571
|
)
|
|
|
12,458
|
|
|
|
1,862
|
|
Accounts payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
218,091
|
|
|
|
19,205
|
|
|
|
2,870
|
|
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22,837
|
|
|
|
116,639
|
|
|
|
17,434
|
|
Amount due to related parties
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,161
|
|
|
|
(2,998
|
)
|
|
|
(448
|
)
|
Customer deposits
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,852
|
|
|
|
67,813
|
|
|
|
10,136
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
383,682
|
|
|
|
218,042
|
|
|
|
32,589
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from investing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of fixed assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(232,480
|
)
|
|
|
(354,985
|
)
|
|
|
(53,058
|
)
|
Acquisition of intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(419
|
)
|
|
|
(1,678
|
)
|
|
|
(251
|
)
|
Acquisition of a subsidiary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(88,968
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase in restricted cash
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(40,245
|
)
|
|
|
(6,580
|
)
|
|
|
(983
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(362,112
|
)
|
|
|
(363,243
|
)
|
|
|
(54,292
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash flows from financing activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from Share Issuance and Repurchase Agreement
with Hanwha Solar Holdings Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
Proceeds from issuance of ordinary shares
|
|
|
12,14
|
|
|
|
78,607
|
|
|
|
510,330
|
|
|
|
76,277
|
|
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,080
|
|
|
|
10,118
|
|
|
|
1,512
|
|
Proceeds from short-term borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,835,578
|
|
|
|
1,066,224
|
|
|
|
159,364
|
|
Payment of short-term borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,920,672
|
)
|
|
|
(722,978
|
)
|
|
|
(108,060
|
)
|
Proceeds from long-term borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
300,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment of long-term borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(22,500
|
)
|
|
|
(67,500
|
)
|
|
|
(10,089
|
)
|
Utilization of notes payable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
88,622
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by financing activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
360,715
|
|
|
|
796,215
|
|
|
|
119,007
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
382,285
|
|
|
|
651,014
|
|
|
|
97,304
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
410,901
|
|
|
|
645,720
|
|
|
|
96,513
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
793,186
|
|
|
|
1,296,734
|
|
|
|
193,817
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements
F-4
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
134,875
|
|
|
|
78,235
|
|
|
|
11,693
|
|
Income tax paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,181
|
|
|
|
81,535
|
|
|
|
12,187
|
|
Realized gain from derivate contracts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
69,560
|
|
|
|
114,934
|
|
|
|
17,179
|
|
Supplemental schedule of non-cash activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of fixed assets included in accounts
payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,719
|
|
|
|
23,517
|
|
|
|
3,515
|
|
Conversion of convertible bonds into ordinary shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
179
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Transfer of unamortized debt issuance costs to equity
upon conversion of convertible bonds into ordinary
shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements
F-5
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained earnings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of ordinary
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Additional paid-in
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(accumulated
|
|
|
Non-controlling
|
|
|
Total shareholders
|
|
|
|
Note
|
|
|
shares
|
|
|
Ordinary shares
|
|
|
capital
|
|
|
Statutory reserves
|
|
|
losses)
|
|
|
interest
|
|
|
equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
269,060,209
|
|
|
|
214
|
|
|
|
2,138,624
|
|
|
|
47,638
|
|
|
|
(67,594
|
)
|
|
|
4,183
|
|
|
|
2,123,065
|
|
Adjustment to retained earnings upon
adoption of ASC 815-40
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
644,812
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
644,812
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of January 1, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
269,060,209
|
|
|
|
214
|
|
|
|
2,138,624
|
|
|
|
47,638
|
|
|
|
577,218
|
|
|
|
4,183
|
|
|
|
2,767,877
|
|
Exercise of stock options and
vesting of restricted stock units
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
803,863
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,080
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,080
|
|
Settlement of stock options exercised
with shares held by depository bank
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(803,863
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion of convertible bonds
into ordinary shares
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,535
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
175
|
|
Shares issued to depository bank
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,200,000
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,162
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,162
|
|
Net loss for the period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(155,848
|
)
|
|
|
244
|
|
|
|
(155,604
|
)
|
Appropriation of statutory reserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,525
|
|
|
|
(9,525
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from issuance of
common shares
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
9,776,550
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
78,601
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
78,607
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of September 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
281,043,294
|
|
|
|
221
|
|
|
|
2,252,641
|
|
|
|
57,163
|
|
|
|
411,845
|
|
|
|
4,427
|
|
|
|
2,726,297
|
|
Exercise of stock options and
vesting of restricted stock units
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
89,897
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
Settlement of stock option exercised
with shares held by depository bank
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(89,897
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from issuance of
common share
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
9,665,445
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
|
70,381
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,387
|
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,509
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,509
|
|
Purchase of subsidiary shares from
non-controlling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
245
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,094
|
)
|
|
|
(849
|
)
|
Appropriation of retained earnings to
non-controlling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,400
|
)
|
|
|
(3,400
|
)
|
Net income (loss) for the period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,621
|
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
|
10,688
|
|
Appropriation of statutory reserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,401
|
|
|
|
(12,401
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
290,708,739
|
|
|
|
227
|
|
|
|
2,331,797
|
|
|
|
69,564
|
|
|
|
410,065
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,811,653
|
|
Exercise of stock options and
vesting of restricted stock units
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
1,421,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,118
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10,118
|
|
Settlement of stock options exercised
with shares held by depository bank
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,421,000
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares issued to depository bank
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,500,000
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net proceeds from issuance
of common shares
|
|
|
14
|
|
|
|
36,455,089
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
510,306
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
510,330
|
|
Share-based compensation
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,227
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25,227
|
|
Net income for the period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
386,541
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
386,541
|
|
Appropriation of statutory reserves
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81,977
|
|
|
|
(81,977
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
328,663,828
|
|
|
|
252
|
|
|
|
2,877,447
|
|
|
|
151,541
|
|
|
|
714,629
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,743,869
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of September 30, 2010, in US$000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38
|
|
|
|
430,079
|
|
|
|
22,650
|
|
|
|
106,812
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
559,579
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements
F-6
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED
INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PREPARATION
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Solarfun Power
Holdings Co., Ltd. (the Company) and subsidiaries (collectively the Group) were prepared on a
basis substantially consistent with the Companys audited consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2009. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP)
for interim financial information and consequently do not include all disclosures normally required
by US GAAP for annual financial statements. These financial statements and the notes thereto
should be read in conjunction with the Companys audited consolidated financial statements for the
year ended December 31, 2009. In the opinion of management, these unaudited interim condensed
consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring
adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Groups consolidated financial position at September
30, 2010, its consolidated results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders equity
for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and 2010. Interim period results are not
necessarily indicative of results for a full-year period. The information pertaining to the
condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 was derived from audited consolidated
financial statements as of that date.
In May 2010, the Group established Jiangsu Linyang Solar Electric Power Engineering Co., Ltd.
(Linyang Engineering). The registered capital of Linyang Engineering is RMB50,000,000, all of
which had been contributed by the Group on May 25, 2010. The principal activity of Linyang
Engineering is to design and install solar projects in China.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements
of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant inter-company transactions and balances
between the Company and its subsidiaries are eliminated upon consolidation.
Convenience Translation
Amounts in US$ are presented for the convenience of the reader and are calculated at the noon
buying rate of US$1.00 to RMB6.6905 on September 30, 2010 in the City of New York for cable
transfers of Renminbi as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. No
representation is made that the Renminbi amounts could have been, or could be, converted into
United States dollars at such rate.
F-7
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
3. INVENTORIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
|
As of
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Raw materials
|
|
|
277,553
|
|
|
|
468,526
|
|
|
|
70,028
|
|
Work-in-progress
|
|
|
129,500
|
|
|
|
40,436
|
|
|
|
6,044
|
|
Finished goods
|
|
|
376,920
|
|
|
|
180,604
|
|
|
|
26,994
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
783,973
|
|
|
|
689,566
|
|
|
|
103,066
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, raw materials of approximately RMB15,131,000 and
RMB18,854,000 (US$2,818,026), respectively, of the Group were held in custody by other parties for
processing. As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, the write-down of inventories amounted
to approximately RMB282,574,000 and RMB117,002,000 (US$17,487,781), respectively.
4. ADVANCE TO SUPPLIERS
Advance to suppliers represents interest-free cash deposits paid to suppliers for future purchases
of raw materials. These deposits are required in order to secure supply of silicon due to limited
availability. The risk of loss arising from non-performance by or bankruptcy of the suppliers is
assessed prior to making the deposits and credit quality of the suppliers is continually assessed.
If there is deterioration in the credit-worthiness of the suppliers, the Group will seek to recover
the advances from the suppliers and provide for losses on advances which are akin to receivables in
cost of revenue because of the suppliers inability to return the advances. A charge to cost of
revenue will be recorded in the period in which a loss is determined to be probable and the amount
can be reasonably estimated. The Group has recorded a charge to cost of revenue amounting to
approximately RMB234,561,000 and RMB117,000 (US$17,487) for nine months ended September 30, 2009
and 2010, respectively, to reflect the probable loss arising from the suppliers failure to perform
under the contracts.
F-8
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
5. BANK BORROWINGS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of
|
|
|
As of
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Total bank borrowings
|
|
|
874,764
|
|
|
|
1,150,510
|
|
|
|
171,962
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprised:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term
|
|
|
404,764
|
|
|
|
748,010
|
|
|
|
111,802
|
|
Long-term, current portion
|
|
|
90,000
|
|
|
|
202,500
|
|
|
|
30,267
|
|
Long-term, non-current portion
|
|
|
380,000
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
29,893
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
874,764
|
|
|
|
1,150,510
|
|
|
|
171,962
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The short-term bank borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010 bore an
average interest rate of 4.9915% and 4.4762% per annum, respectively, and were denominated in
Renminbi. These borrowings were obtained from financial institutions and had terms of one month to
one year. As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, unused short-term bank loan facilities
amounted to approximately RMB853,000,000 and RMB831,990,000 (US$124,353,935), respectively.
The long-term bank borrowings outstanding as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010 bore
average interest rates of 5.5973% and 5.5140% per annum, respectively, and were denominated in
Renminbi. These borrowings were obtained from financial institutions and represented the maximum
amount of the facility. The current portion and non-current portion of long-term borrowings as of
September 30, 2010 will be due in installments from December 29, 2010 to September 29, 2011, and
December 26, 2011 to September 13, 2012, respectively.
As of September 30, 2010, the maturities of these long-term bank borrowings were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30,
|
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Within 1 year
|
|
|
202,500
|
|
|
|
30,267
|
|
Between 1 and 2 years
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
|
29,893
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
402,500
|
|
|
|
60,160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-9
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
6. INCOME TAXES
As of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010, the Group has recognized approximately
RMB27,385,000 and RMB27,385,000 (US$4,093,117) as an accrual for unrecognized tax benefits, which
has been classified as a current liability. The final outcome of the tax uncertainty is dependent
upon various matters including tax examinations, interpretation of tax laws or expiration of status
of limitation. However, due to the uncertainties associated with the status of examinations,
including the protocols of finalizing audits by the relevant tax authorities, there is a high
degree of uncertainty regarding the future cash outflows associated with these tax uncertainties.
The Group has total income tax expense of RMB16,590,000 and RMB149,055,000 (US$22,278,604) for
the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The Groups effective tax rates
are (12%) and 28% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, respectively. The increase
in the effective tax rate is mainly due to the significant profit derived by the Groups PRC
subsidiaries and a smaller change in the valuation allowances as a
percentage of profit-before-tax during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.
Total income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included a deferred tax
benefit of RMB14,745,000 (US$2,203,871) (2009: RMB14,939,000) and a current tax expense of
RMB163,800,000 (US$24,482,475) (2009: RMB31,529,000). The Group continues to conduct most of its
business through its major PRC subsidiaries whose applicable income tax rates are 15% and 25%. A
full valuation allowance is recorded for deferred tax assets of those entities within the group
that continue to be in cumulative loss positions. The Groups current tax expense for the nine
months ended September 30, 2010 included an amount of RMB nil (2009: RMB nil) relating to the
provision for unrecognized tax benefits.
7. SHARE OPTION PLANS
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 1,387,500 options were granted to the employees of
the Group under the share incentive plan adopted by the Company on
August 22, 2007 (the 2007 Incentive Plan). Under the 2007 Incentive Plan, the Company may issue up to 10,799,685 ordinary shares plus
an annual increase of 2% of the outstanding ordinary shares on the first day of the fiscal year, or
such lesser amount of shares as determined by the Board of Directors. The 2007 Incentive Plan will
expire on August 21, 2017. As of September 30, 2010, options to purchase 15,614,235
ordinary shares were granted and outstanding with an average exercise price of US$1.78 per share.
The following table summarized the Companys share option activity under the existing plans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of options
|
|
|
Number of options
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Outstanding, January 1
|
|
|
11,384,800
|
|
|
|
15,984,915
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
3,936,000
|
|
|
|
1,387,500
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(172,620
|
)
|
|
|
(1,196,000
|
)
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
(2,738,615
|
)
|
|
|
(562,180
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding, September 30
|
|
|
12,409,565
|
|
|
|
15,614,235
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vested and expected to be vested at September 30
|
|
|
12,409,565
|
|
|
|
15,614,235
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercisable at September 30
|
|
|
4,630,895
|
|
|
|
6,240,005
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-10
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
7. SHARE OPTION PLANS (CONTD)
The Company calculated the estimated fair value of share options on the grant date using the
binomial-lattice model for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010 with the following
respective assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted in the nine months
|
|
|
|
ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
Risk-free interest rate
|
|
|
1.46% - 3.69
|
%
|
|
|
2.47% - 3.31
|
%
|
Withdraw rate
|
|
|
0% - 10
|
%
|
|
|
10
|
%
|
Expected dividend yield
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Expected volatility
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
|
|
80
|
%
|
Sub-optimal early exercise factor
|
|
4 times
|
|
|
4 times
|
|
Fair value of options at grant date per share
|
|
|
From US$0.38 to US$1.07
|
|
|
|
From US$0.98 to US$1.61
|
|
The 2007
Incentive Plan also permits the grant of Restricted Stock Units (RSU) to employees, directors and
consultants of the Group. The fair value of RSU is based on the quoted market price of the
Companys ordinary shares at the respective grant dates.
The following table summarized the Companys RSU activity under existing plans:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of RSUs
|
|
|
Number of RSUs
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Unvested, January 1
|
|
|
137,498
|
|
|
|
46,250
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
45,000
|
|
|
|
45,000
|
|
Vested
|
|
|
(126,249
|
)
|
|
|
(51,250
|
)
|
Forfeited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unvested, September 30
|
|
|
56,249
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total compensation expense relating to share options and RSUs recognized for the nine months ended
September 30, 2009 and 2010 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Cost of revenue
|
|
|
4,282
|
|
|
|
5,905
|
|
|
|
883
|
|
Selling expenses
|
|
|
1,626
|
|
|
|
3,121
|
|
|
|
466
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
27,320
|
|
|
|
15,032
|
|
|
|
2,247
|
|
Research and development expenses
|
|
|
934
|
|
|
|
1,169
|
|
|
|
175
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
34,162
|
|
|
|
25,227
|
|
|
|
3,771
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-11
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
8. CONVERTIBLE BONDS
The Convertible Senior Notes (Notes) were initially recorded at the principal amount of
RMB1,211,380,889 (US$177,468,303). Direct debt issuance costs of RMB40,459,198 (US$5,927,306) are
deferred and amortized over the life of the Notes using the effective interest method. For the
nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, the interest expense for the Notes was approximately
RMB72,402,000 and RMB88,081,000 (US$13,165,084), respectively.
The adoption of ASC 815-40 (ASC 815-40)
,
Derivatives and Hedging: Contracts in Entitys Own
Equity, on January 1, 2009 revised the Companys accounting for the conversion option of the
Notes. The Company evaluated the conversion option of the Notes upon adoption of ASC 815-40 and
determined that the conversion option qualified for derivative accounting because the conversion
option, if freestanding, is not considered to be indexed to the Companys own stock.
Accordingly, the conversion option was bifurcated from the Notes upon adoption of ASC 815-40 as a
derivative liability at an initial fair value of RMB962,993,000 (US$141,079,000). Changes in fair
value of the conversion options are recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of
operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, the Company recorded a loss of
RMB2,608,000 and a loss of RMB223,968,000 (US$33,475,525) resulting from the change in fair value
of the conversion option. ASC 815-40 requires the Company to recognize the cumulative effect of the
change in accounting principle as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. An
adjustment of RMB644,812,000 (US$94,465,492), which represents the cumulative gains on
re-measurement that would have been recognized if the guidance in ASC 815-40 had been applied from
the Notes issuance date on January 29, 2008, was recorded on January 1, 2009 to retained earnings.
As of September 30, 2010, the conversion option, which has been combined with the Notes on the
condensed consolidated balance sheet, was recorded at a fair value of RMB533,157,000
(US$79,688,663).
9. GOVERNMENT GRANTS
During the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, the Group received approximately
RMB5,661,000 and RMB26,229,000 (US$3,920,335), respectively, in government subsidies which were
approved by the relevant PRC government authorities. These subsidies were received because the
Group qualifies as a high technology enterprise in Lianyungang City of Jiangsu Province in the
PRC and it met certain criteria such as increases in the amount of capital investment, net assets,
number of employees, sales and tax payments. The government subsidies are not subject to adjustment
and do not have any restrictions as to the use of funds. Accordingly, the full amount of the
subsidies has been recorded as government grants when received.
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Acquisition of machineries
As of September 30, 2010, the Group had commitments of approximately RMB88,666,000 (US$13,252,522)
related to the acquisition of machineries. The commitment for acquisition of machineries is
expected to be settled within the next twelve months.
F-12
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTD)
Operating lease commitments
The Group has entered into leasing arrangements relating to office premises and other facilities
that are classified as operating leases. Future minimum lease payments for non-cancelable
operating leases as of September 30, 2010 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
October 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
|
|
|
2,403
|
|
|
|
359
|
|
Year 2011
|
|
|
6,884
|
|
|
|
1,029
|
|
Year 2012
|
|
|
1,567
|
|
|
|
234
|
|
Year 2013
|
|
|
333
|
|
|
|
50
|
|
Year 2014
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year 2015 and thereafter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
11,187
|
|
|
|
1,672
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The terms of the leases do not contain rent escalation or contingent rents.
Purchase of raw materials
The commitments related to framework contracts to purchase of raw materials as of September 30,
2010 are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
October 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010
|
|
|
2,392,713
|
|
|
|
357,628
|
|
Year 2011
|
|
|
717,613
|
|
|
|
107,258
|
|
Year 2012
|
|
|
774,159
|
|
|
|
115,710
|
|
Year 2013
|
|
|
803,128
|
|
|
|
120,040
|
|
Year 2014
|
|
|
629,755
|
|
|
|
94,127
|
|
Year 2015 and thereafter
|
|
|
1,372,787
|
|
|
|
205,185
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
6,690,155
|
|
|
|
999,948
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The above listing of amounts and timing of purchases are based on managements best estimate using
existing terms in the framework contracts. To the extent the terms of the contracts are revised
through negotiation or agreement between the Group and its suppliers, the amount or timing of
purchases could change.
F-13
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
11. DERIVATIVE CONTRACTS
The Group is exposed to certain risks related to its business operations. The primary risk that the
Group seeks to manage by using derivative instruments is foreign exchange rate risk. The Group does
not use derivatives for speculative trading purposes and is not a party to any leveraged
derivatives. The Group recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at
fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 16). The Groups derivatives are
not designated and do not qualify as hedges and are adjusted to fair value through current
earnings.
The following table reflects the location in the condensed consolidated statements of operations
and the amount of loss recognized in income for the derivative contracts not designated as hedging
instruments for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
Statement of operations location
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Foreign exchange derivative contracts
|
|
Changes in fair value of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(not designated as hedging instruments)
|
|
derivative contracts
|
|
|
(5,803
|
)
|
|
|
40,026
|
|
|
|
5,983
|
|
The following table reflects the fair values of derivatives included in the consolidated balance
sheets as of December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2010:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value as of
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
September 30,
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
Balance sheet location
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Derivative assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange derivative contracts
|
|
Current assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(not designated as hedging instruments)
|
|
Derivative contracts
|
|
|
7,360
|
|
|
|
1,910
|
|
|
|
285
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivative liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign exchange derivative contracts
|
|
Current liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(not designated as hedging instruments)
|
|
Derivative contracts
|
|
|
1,148
|
|
|
|
70,605
|
|
|
|
10,553
|
|
12. ISSUANCE OF ORDINARY SHARES FROM ADDITIONAL EQUITY OFFERING
In the three-month-periods ended September 30 and December 31, 2009, the Company issued 1,955,310 ADSs and 1,933,089 ADSs,
representing 9,776,550 and 9,665,445, respectively, of the Companys ordinary shares at the par
value per share of US$0.0001. Total proceeds from these equity offerings were US$12,528,830
(approximately RMB86 million) and US$10,573,088 (approximately RMB72 million), respectively, for
the nine months ended September 30 and the three months ended December 31, 2009. Net proceeds were
approximately US$11,512,291 (approximately RMB79 million) and US$10,308,413 (approximately RMB70
million), respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and the three months ended
December 31, 2009, after deduction of related issuance costs.
F-14
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
13. REDEEMABLE ORDINARY SHARES
On January 29, 2008 and concurrently with the convertible bond issuance (see Note 8), the Company
issued and sold 9,019,611 ADSs, representing 45,098,055 of the Companys ordinary shares at the par
value per share of US$0.0001.
The Company is entitled to repurchase any or all of the ADSs at par value on any business day after
the entire principal amount of the Notes cease to be outstanding. Such rights will expire one month
after the maturity of the Notes. In addition, the holders of the ADSs has the right to request the
Company to repurchase the ADSs at par value at any time by giving prior notice. Since the holders
have the ability to require the repurchase of the ADSs which is outside the control of the Company,
the ordinary shares underlying the ADSs have been classified as mezzanine equity. All distributions
received by the ADS holders are to be paid back to the Company.
The adoption of ASU No. 2009-15
,
Accounting for Own-Share Lending Arrangements in Contemplation of
Convertible Debt Issuance or Other Financing (ASU 2009-15) on January 1, 2010 revised the
Companys accounting for the redeemable ordinary shares. The Company evaluated the redeemable
ordinary shares concurrently with Notes upon adoption of ASU 2009-15 and determined that the
redeemable ordinary shares issued qualified for own-share lending arrangement because the purpose
of issuance of share is to facilitate the ability of the holders to hedge the conversion option in
the Companys convertible debt and the Company is entitled to repurchase any or all of the ADSs at
par value on any business day after the entire principal amount of the Notes cease to be
outstanding.
Accordingly, the share-lending arrangement upon adoption of ASU 2009-15 is measured at fair value,
and recognized as an issuance cost with an offset to redeemable ordinary shares. ASU 2009-15
requires the Company to recognize the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle as an
adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. An adjustment of US$3,076 (RMB22,000),
which represents the fair value that would have been recognized if the guidance in ASU 2009-15 had
been applied from the issuance date on January 29, 2008, was recorded on January 1, 2010 to
issuance cost with an offset to redeemable ordinary shares. As of December 31, 2009 and September
30, 2010, the redeemable ordinary shares, were recorded at a fair value of RMB22,000 and RMB22,000
(US$3,288), respectively.
14. SHARE ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE AGREEMENT
On August 3, 2010, a major shareholder of the Company, Good Energies Investments (Jersey) Limited
(Good Energies) entered into a Share Purchase Agreement (the GE Sales Agreement) with Hanwha
Chemical Corporation (Hanwha Chemical), a Korean Company, pursuant to which Good Energies agreed to sell
its 81,772,950 ordinary shares and 1,281,011 ADSs to Hanwha. Concurrently with the execution of
the GE Sales Agreement, Hanwha entered into (i) a Share Purchase Agreement with the Company (the
Issuer Sales Agreement), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to Hanwha 36,455,089
ordinary shares and (ii) a Share Purchase Agreement with Yonghua Solar Power Investment Holding
Ltd. (Yonghua), pursuant to which Yonghua agreed to sell to Hanwha 38,634,750 ordinary shares
(the Yonghua Sales Agreement). Hanwha Chemical
subsequently assigned and transferred to Hanwha Solar Holdings Co.,
Ltd. (or Hanwha Solar), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hanwha Chemical,
its rights and obligations under the Issuer Sales Agreement, the GE
Sales Agreement and the Yonghua Sales Agreement. In connection with
the transaction, Hanwha Solar requested the Company
to issue 45,080,019 new ordinary shares at par value of US$0.0001 per share in a Share Issuance and
Repurchase Agreement (Share Issuance and Repurchase Agreement).
F-15
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
14. SHARE ISSUANCE AND REPURCHASE AGREEMENT (CONTD)
Pursuant
to the GE Sales Agreement and the Yonghua Sales Agreement, Hanwha
Solar paid cash consideration of
approximately US$202 million and US$90 million to Good Energies and Yonghua, respectively.
Concurrently, pursuant to the Issuer Sales Agreement, the Company received net proceeds of
approximately US$76 million for the issuance of 36,455,089 ordinary shares. On September 16, 2010,
the respective parties to the GE Sales Agreement, the Issuer Sales
Agreement and the Yonghua Sales Agreement
consummated the purchase and sale of the ordinary shares and ADSs contemplated thereby. As a
result, Good Energies and Yonghua cease to own any ordinary shares or ADSs of the Company as of
September 16, 2010.
The changes in the shareholder structure of the Company upon execution of the above arrangement are
as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Before the arrangement
|
|
|
After the arrangement
|
|
|
|
Number of shares
|
|
|
%
|
|
|
Number of shares
|
|
|
%
|
|
Yonghua
|
|
|
38,634,750
|
|
|
|
11.53
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Good Energies
|
|
|
81,772,950
|
|
|
|
24.39
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morgan Stanley & Co. International
PLC (see Note 13)
|
|
|
45,098,055
|
|
|
|
13.45
|
%
|
|
|
45,098,055
|
|
|
|
10.82
|
%
|
Yongqiang Solar Power Investment
Holding Ltd.
|
|
|
250,875
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
%
|
|
|
250,875
|
|
|
|
0.06
|
%
|
WHF Investment Co., Ltd.
|
|
|
6,271,875
|
|
|
|
1.87
|
%
|
|
|
6,271,875
|
|
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
Yongguan Solar Power Investment
Holding Ltd.
|
|
|
501,750
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
|
|
501,750
|
|
|
|
0.12
|
%
|
Bank of New York *
|
|
|
162,713,719
|
|
|
|
48.54
|
%
|
|
|
156,308,664
|
|
|
|
37.50
|
%
|
Hanwha
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
208,347,863
|
|
|
|
49.99
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
335,243,974
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
416,779,082
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Shares held by Bank of New York mainly consist of shares held in trust for individual public
shareholders and shares issued as depository, which will be used to settle stock option awards upon
their exercise. Any ordinary shares not used in the settlement of stock option awards will be
returned to the Company.
|
The Company recorded the shares issued in the Share Issuance and Repurchase Agreement with Hanwha
as a liability in accordance ASC 480-10, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with
Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity, as there is an unconditional obligation that
requires the Company to redeem the shares by transferring assets at a determinable date at the par
value per share of US$0.0001. As of September 30, 2010, the Company has issued 30,672,689 ordinary
shares to Hanwha by recording a liability of approximately RMB20,554 (US$3,072) in other current
liabilities in connection with the Share Issuance and Repurchase Agreement.
F-16
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
15. INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share for each period presented are calculated as follows:
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
RMB
|
|
|
US$
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders
basic and diluted
|
|
|
(155,848
|
)
|
|
|
386,541
|
|
|
|
57,775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of shares outstanding, opening
|
|
|
268,745,299
|
|
|
|
289,087,589
|
|
|
|
289,087,589
|
|
Weighted-average number of shares issued during the period
|
|
|
267,307
|
|
|
|
2,025,283
|
|
|
|
2,025,283
|
|
Conversion of convertible bonds
|
|
|
3,994
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New ordinary shares issued in connection with exercise of
options and vesting of RSUs
|
|
|
378,697
|
|
|
|
791,536
|
|
|
|
791,536
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding basic
|
|
|
269,395,297
|
|
|
|
291,904,408
|
|
|
|
291,904,408
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options and RSUs granted in connection with the
stock option plan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
836,184
|
|
|
|
836,184
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average number of share outstanding diluted
|
|
|
269,395,297
|
|
|
|
292,740,592
|
|
|
|
292,740,592
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income (loss) per share
|
|
(RMB0.58)
|
|
RMB1.32
|
|
US$
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income (loss) per share
|
|
(RMB0.58)
|
|
RMB1.32
|
|
US$
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, the Company issued 2,200,000 and
1,500,000 ordinary shares, respectively, to its share depository bank which will be used to settle
stock option awards upon their exercise. No consideration was received by the Company for these
issuances of ordinary shares. These ordinary shares are legally issued and outstanding, but are
treated as escrowed shares for accounting purposes and, therefore, have been excluded from the
computation of net income (loss) per share.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the potential dilutive effect in relation to the
stock options and unvested RSUs was excluded as it had an anti-dilutive effect. For the nine months
ended September 30, 2009 and 2010, the potential dilutive effect in relation to the convertible
bonds was excluded as it had an anti-dilutive effect. The redeemable shares have been excluded in
both basic and diluted net income (loss) per share as they are not entitled to the earnings of the
Company.
F-17
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
16. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company applies ASC topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820). ASC 820
defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about
fair value measurements. ASC 820 requires disclosures to be provided on fair value measurements.
ASC 820 establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in
measuring fair value as follows:
Level 1 Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or
liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 Include other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
Level 3 Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.
ASC 820 describes three main approaches to measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities: (1)
market approach; (2) income approach; and (3) cost approach. The market approach uses prices and
other relevant information generated from market transactions involving identical or comparable
assets or liabilities. The income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a
single present value amount. The measurement is based on the value indicated by current market
expectations about those future amounts. The cost approach is based on the amount that would
currently be required to replace an asset.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2009 and
September 30, 2010 are summarized below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value measurement using:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Significant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quoted Prices in
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Significant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Active Markets for
|
|
|
Observable
|
|
|
Unobservable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Identical Assets
|
|
|
Inputs
|
|
|
Inputs
|
|
|
Total Fair
|
|
|
|
(Level 1)
|
|
|
(Level 2)
|
|
|
(Level 3)
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
As of December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-Time deposits
|
|
|
645,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
645,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,360
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,360
|
|
- Financial liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,148
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,148
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion option of
convertible bonds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
309,189
|
|
|
|
309,189
|
|
F-18
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
16. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (CONTD)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value measurement using:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quoted Prices in
|
|
|
Significant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Active Markets
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Significant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
for Identical
|
|
|
Observable
|
|
|
Unobservable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
Inputs
|
|
|
Inputs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Level 1)
|
|
|
(Level 2)
|
|
|
(Level 3)
|
|
|
Total Fair Value
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
As of September 30, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-Time deposit
|
|
|
1,296,734
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,296,734
|
|
|
|
193,817
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency
derivatives
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,910
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,910
|
|
|
|
285
|
|
- Financial liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,605
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,605
|
|
|
|
10,553
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion option of
convertible bonds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
533,157
|
|
|
|
533,157
|
|
|
|
79,689
|
|
The following is a reconciliation for the liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring
basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended September 30, 2010
and the three months ended December 31, 2009:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Conversion option of
|
|
|
|
convertible bonds
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
Balance as of January 1, 2009
|
|
|
235,311
|
|
Conversion of convertible bonds
|
|
|
(9
|
)
|
The amount of total loss for the period Realized or unrealized loss
|
|
|
2,608
|
|
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of September 30, 2009
|
|
|
237,910
|
|
The amount of total loss for the period Realized or unrealized loss
|
|
|
71,279
|
|
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of December 31, 2009 and January 1, 2010
|
|
|
309,189
|
|
The amount of total loss for the period Realized or unrealized loss
|
|
|
223,968
|
|
Transfers in and/or out of Level 3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance as of September 30, 2010
|
|
|
533,157
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amount of realized or unrealized loss is included in the condensed consolidated statements of
operations in Changes in fair value of conversion feature of convertible bonds.
F-19
SOLARFUN POWER HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2010
AND FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2010
17. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Group operates in a single business segment, which is the development, manufacturing, and sale
of photovoltaic-related products. The following table summarizes the Groups net revenues by
geographic region based on the location of the customers:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
Germany
|
|
|
1,731,616
|
|
|
|
3,656,996
|
|
|
|
546,597
|
|
Portugal
|
|
|
232,135
|
|
|
|
146,949
|
|
|
|
21,964
|
|
Czech
|
|
|
107,528
|
|
|
|
124,659
|
|
|
|
18,632
|
|
Australia
|
|
|
101,455
|
|
|
|
256,681
|
|
|
|
38,365
|
|
Korea
|
|
|
116,135
|
|
|
|
5,943
|
|
|
|
888
|
|
The PRC
|
|
|
115,647
|
|
|
|
319,219
|
|
|
|
47,712
|
|
Spain
|
|
|
50,858
|
|
|
|
80,473
|
|
|
|
12,028
|
|
France
|
|
|
35,058
|
|
|
|
69,384
|
|
|
|
10,371
|
|
Italy
|
|
|
4,655
|
|
|
|
358,127
|
|
|
|
53,528
|
|
United States
|
|
|
17,388
|
|
|
|
247,356
|
|
|
|
36,971
|
|
Others
|
|
|
13,130
|
|
|
|
148,502
|
|
|
|
22,196
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,525,605
|
|
|
|
5,414,289
|
|
|
|
809,252
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
All the long-lived assets of the Group are located in the PRC.
Details of the customers accounting for 10% or more of total net revenues are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the nine months ended September 30,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
2010
|
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(RMB000)
|
|
|
(US$000)
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
SCHUCO
|
|
|
1,190,402
|
|
|
|
2,021,752
|
|
|
|
302,182
|
|
Q-cell
|
|
|
273,971
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,464,373
|
|
|
|
2,021,752
|
|
|
|
302,182
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F-20
Solarfun Power Holdings Co.,
Ltd.
US$175,000,000
American Depositary
Shares
Preferred Shares
Debt Securities
Warrants
Through this prospectus, we may periodically offer:
(1) our American depositary shares, or ADSs, with
each ADS representing five ordinary shares;
(2) our preferred shares;
(3) our debt securities; and
(4) our warrants,
up to an aggregate amount of US$175,000,000.
The prices and other terms of the securities that we will
offer will be determined at the time of their offering and will
be described in a prospectus supplement.
Our ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the
symbol SOLF.
These securities may be offered directly or through
underwriters, agents or dealers. The names of any underwriters,
agents or dealers will be included in a prospectus
supplement.
Investing in the securities involves risks. See Risk
Factors beginning on page 4.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities
regulators have not approved or disapproved of these securities,
or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any
representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is July 16, 2008.
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
i
|
|
|
|
|
ii
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
25
|
|
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
42
|
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
|
47
|
|
|
|
|
48
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
|
52
|
|
|
|
|
53
|
|
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement
together with the additional information described under the
heading Where You Can Find More Information About Us
and Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or unless the
context otherwise requires,
|
|
|
|
|
ADRs are to the American depositary receipts that
evidence our ADSs;
|
|
|
|
ADSs are to our American depositary shares, each of
which represents five ordinary shares;
|
|
|
|
China or the PRC are to the
Peoples Republic of China, excluding, for the purpose of
this prospectus only, Taiwan and the special administrative
regions of Hong Kong and Macau;
|
|
|
|
conversion efficiency are to the ability of
photovoltaic, or PV, products to convert sunlight into
electricity, and conversion efficiency rates are
commonly used in the PV industry to measure the percentage of
light energy from the sun that is actually converted into
electricity;
|
|
|
|
cost per watt and price per watt are to
the method by which the cost and price of PV products,
respectively, are commonly measured in the PV industry. A PV
product is priced based on the number of watts of electricity it
can generate;
|
|
|
|
GW are to gigawatt, representing 1,000,000,000
watts, a unit of power-generating capacity or consumption;
|
|
|
|
MW are to megawatt, representing 1,000,000 watts, a
unit of power-generating capacity or consumption. In this
prospectus, it is assumed that, based on a yield rate of 95%,
420,000 125mm x 125mm or 280,000 156mm x 156mm silicon wafers
are required to produce PV products capable of generating
1 MW, that each 125mm x 125mm and 156mm x 156mm PV cell
generates 2.4 watts and 3.7 watts of power,
respectively, and that each PV module contains 72 PV cells;
|
|
|
|
PV are to photovoltaic. The photovoltaic effect is a
process by which sunlight is converted into electricity;
|
|
|
|
RMB and Renminbi are to the legal
currency of China;
|
|
|
|
series A convertible preference shares are to
our series A convertible preference shares, par value
US$0.0001 per share;
|
|
|
|
shares or ordinary shares are to our
ordinary shares, par value US$0.0001 per share; and
|
|
|
|
US$ and U.S. dollars are to the
legal currency of the United States.
|
References in this prospectus to our annual manufacturing
capacity assume 24 hours of operation per day for
350 days per year.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, we,
us, our company and our
refer to Solarfun, its predecessor entities and its consolidated
subsidiaries.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC,
utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this
shelf registration process, we may sell the ADSs, preferred
shares, debt securities and warrants described in this
prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides
you with a general description of the securities we may offer.
Each time we or any selling securityholder sells securities
pursuant to the registration statement, we will provide a
prospectus supplement that will contain specific information
about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may
also add, update or change information contained or incorporated
by reference in this prospectus.
i
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference
contain statements of a forward-looking nature. These statements
are made under the safe harbor provisions of the
U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
In some cases, these forward-looking statements can be
identified by words or phrases such as aim,
anticipate, believe,
continue, estimate, expect,
intend, is/are likely to,
may, plan, potential,
will or other similar expressions. We have based
these forward-looking statements largely on our current
expectations and projections about future events and financial
trends that we believe may affect our financial condition,
results of operations, business strategy and financial needs.
These forward-looking statements include, among other things,
statements relating to:
|
|
|
|
|
our expectations regarding the worldwide demand for electricity
and the market for solar energy;
|
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the effects of environmental regulation,
lack of infrastructure reliability and long-term fossil fuel
supply constraints;
|
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the inability of traditional fossil
fuel-based generation technologies to meet the demand for
electricity;
|
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the importance of environmentally friendly
power generation;
|
|
|
|
our expectations regarding governmental support for the
deployment of solar energy;
|
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the acceleration of adoption of solar
technologies;
|
|
|
|
our expectations with respect to advancements in our
technologies;
|
|
|
|
our beliefs regarding the competitiveness of our solar products;
|
|
|
|
our expectations regarding the scaling of our manufacturing
capacity;
|
|
|
|
our expectations with respect to increased revenue growth and
our ability to achieve profitability resulting from increases in
our production volumes;
|
|
|
|
our expectations with respect to our ability to secure raw
materials, especially silicon wafers, in the future;
|
|
|
|
our future business development, results of operations and
financial condition; and
|
|
|
|
competition from other manufacturers of PV products and
conventional energy suppliers.
|
We would like to caution you not to place undue reliance on
these statements and you should read these statements in
conjunction with the risk factors disclosed in the documents
incorporated by reference any accompanying prospectus supplement
for a more complete discussion of the risks of an investment in
our securities and other risks outlined in our other filings
with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this
prospectus or incorporated by reference into this prospectus are
made only as of the date of this prospectus or the date of the
incorporated document, and we do not undertake any obligation to
update the forward-looking statements except as required under
applicable law.
ii
OUR
COMPANY
We are an established manufacturer of ingots, PV cells and PV
modules in China. We manufacture and sell ingots, PV cells and
PV modules using advanced manufacturing process technologies
that have helped us to rapidly increase our operational
efficiency. All of our PV modules are currently produced using
PV cells manufactured at our own facilities. We sell our
products both directly to system integrators and through third
party distributors. In 2007, we sold our products to over 30
customers, mostly in Germany and Spain, as well as several other
European countries. We also provided PV cell processing services
in 2006 and PV module processing services in 2007. We conduct
our business in China through our operating subsidiary, Linyang
China. In addition, we have entered into the silicon ingot
production business through our acquisition of a 52% equity
interest in Yangguang Solar Technology Co., Ltd., or Yangguang
Solar, an ingot plant that commenced operations in October 2007.
In June 2008, we entered into an agreement to acquire the
remaining 48% equity interest in Yangguang Solar.
We currently operate four monocrystalline PV cell production
lines and four multicrystalline PV cell production lines, each
with up to 30 MW of annual manufacturing capacity. As part
of our vertical integration and supply sourcing strategy, we
recently acquired Yangguang Solar, which we believe could
produce 50 to 60 MW of ingots in 2008. We currently have 40
monocrystalline ingot production furnaces, with up to
37.5 MW of annual manufacturing capacity. In order to meet
the fast-growing market demand for solar products, we plan to
significantly expand our PV cell manufacturing capacity over the
next several years. We expect that the aggregate annual
manufacturing capacity of our PV cell production lines that are
completed or under construction will reach 360 MW by the
end of July 2008. In addition, we have achieved improvements in
process technology and product quality since we commenced our
commercial production in November 2005. Our monocrystalline PV
cells achieved conversion efficiency rates in the range of 16.1%
to 16.6% in 2007 and we are now able to process wafers as thin
as 200 microns.
Our net revenue increased from RMB166.2 million in 2005 to
RMB630.9 million in 2006 and to RMB2,395.1 million
(US$328.3 million) in 2007. Our net income increased from
RMB14.4 million in 2005 to RMB105.9 million in 2006
and to RMB148.0 million (US$20.3 million) in 2007.
We commenced operations through Linyang China in August 2004.
Linyang China was a 68%-owned subsidiary of Linyang Electronics,
at the time of its establishment on August 27, 2004.
Linyang Electronics is one of the leading electricity-measuring
instrument manufacturers in China. In anticipation of our
initial public offering, we incorporated Solarfun Power Holdings
Co., Ltd., or Solarfun, in the Cayman Islands on May 12,
2006 as our listing vehicle. To enable us to raise equity
capital from investors outside of China, we established a
holding company structure by incorporating Linyang Solar Power
Investment Holding Ltd., or Linyang BVI, in the British Virgin
Islands on May 17, 2006. Linyang BVI is wholly owned by
Solarfun. Linyang BVI purchased all of the equity interests in
Linyang China on June 2, 2006. In March 2006, April 2006
and April 2007, we established three majority-owned or wholly
owned subsidiaries in China, Shanghai Linyang Solar Technology
Co., Ltd., or Shanghai Linyang, Sichuan Leshan Jiayang New
Energy Co., Ltd., or Sichuan Jiayang, and Jiangsu Linyang
Solarfun Engineering Research and Development Center Co., Ltd.,
formerly Nantong Linyang Solarfun Engineering Research and
Development Center Co., Ltd., or Linyang Research Center,
respectively, to expand our business into new markets and
sectors. In August 2007, we acquired a 52% interest in Yangguang
Solar. In September 2007, we established a wholly owned
subsidiary, Solarfun Power U.S.A. Inc., or Solarfun U.S.A., as
part of our plan to enter the United States market. On
November 30, 2007, Linyang BVI transferred all of the
equity interests in Linyang China to Solarfun Power Hong Kong
Limited, for a consideration of US$199.0 million. In
February 2008, we established a wholly owned subsidiary,
Solarfun Power Deutschland GmbH., or Solarfun Deutschland, in
Germany to sell solar products in the European markets. We are
currently in the process of liquidating Sichuan Jiayang, one of
our subsidiaries which historically has had limited operations.
In June 2008, we entered into an agreement to acquire the
remaining 48% equity interest in Yangguang Solar.
We made capital expenditures of RMB37.5 million,
RMB190.0 million and RMB538.5 million
(US$73.8 million) in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. In
the past, our capital expenditures were used primarily in the
purchase of a manufacturing facility and additional
manufacturing equipment for the production of PV cells and
modules. We plan to fund the balance of our 2008 capital
expenditures substantially with proceeds from our convertible
note offering in January 2008, additional borrowings from
third parties and cash from operations.
1
Our principal executive offices are located at 666 Linyang Road,
Qidong, Jiangsu Province, 226200, Peoples Republic of
China. Our telephone number at this address is
(86-513)
8330-7688
and our fax number is
(86-513) 8311-0367.
Our registered office in the Cayman Islands is at the offices of
Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309, Ugland
House, Grand Cayman, KY1-1104, Cayman Islands.
Investor inquiries should be directed to us at the address and
telephone number of our principal executive offices set forth
above. Our website is
www.solarfun.com.cn.
The
information contained on our website does not constitute a part
of this prospectus.
Our agent for service of process in the
United States is CT Corporation System, located at 111 Eighth
Avenue, New York, New York 10011.
2
THE
SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER
We may use this prospectus to offer our:
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ADSs, each representing five ordinary shares;
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preferred shares;
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debt securities; and
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warrants.
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A prospectus supplement will describe the specific types,
amounts, prices, and detailed terms of any of these offered
securities and may describe certain risks in addition to those
set forth below associated with an investment in the securities.
Terms used in the prospectus supplement will have the meanings
described in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified.
3
RISK
FACTORS
You should consider carefully the following factors, as well
as the other information set forth in this prospectus, before
making an investment decision. You should also consider
carefully the risks set forth under the heading Risk
Factors in any prospectus supplement before investing in
the securities offered thereby. Some of the following risks
relate principally to the industry in which we operate and our
business in general. Other risks relate principally to the
securities market and ownership of our ADSs, preferred shares,
debt securities and warrants. Any of the risk factors could
significantly and negatively affect our business, financial
condition or operating results and the trading price of our
ADSs, preferred shares, debt securities and warrants. You could
lose all or part of your investment.
Risks
Related to Our Company and Our Industry
Evaluating
our business and prospects may be difficult because of our
limited operating history, and our past results may not be
indicative of our future performance.
There is limited historical information available about our
company upon which you can base your evaluation of our business
and prospects. We began operations in August 2004 and shipped
our first PV modules and our first PV cells in February 2005 and
November 2005, respectively. Our business has grown and evolved
at a rapid rate since we started our operations. As a result,
our historical operating results may not provide a meaningful
basis for evaluating our business, financial performance and
prospects and we may not be able to achieve a similar growth
rate in future periods. In particular, our future success will
require us to continue to increase the manufacturing capacity of
our facilities significantly beyond their current capacities.
Moreover, our business model, technology and ability to achieve
satisfactory manufacturing yields at higher volumes are
unproven. Therefore, you should consider our business and
prospects in light of the risks, expenses and challenges that we
will face as a company with a relatively short operating history
in a competitive industry seeking to develop and manufacture new
products in a rapidly growing market, and you should not rely on
our past results or our historic rate of growth as an indication
of our future performance.
Our
future success substantially depends on our ability to further
expand both our manufacturing capacity and output, which is
subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If we fail to
achieve this further expansion, we may be unable to grow our
business and revenue, reduce our costs per watt, maintain our
competitive position or improve our profitability.
Our future success depends on our ability to significantly
increase both our manufacturing capacity and output. We plan to
expand our business to address growth in demand for our
products, as well as to capture new market opportunities. Our
ability to establish additional manufacturing capacity and
increase output is subject to significant risks and
uncertainties, including:
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the need for additional funding to purchase and prepay for raw
materials or to build manufacturing facilities, which we may be
unable to obtain on reasonable terms or at all;
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delays and cost overruns as a result of a number of factors,
many of which may be beyond our control, such as increases in
raw materials prices and problems with equipment vendors;
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the inability to obtain or delays in obtaining required
approvals by relevant government authorities;
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diversion of significant management attention and other
resources; and
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failure to execute our expansion plan effectively.
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In order to manage the potential growth of our operations, we
will be required to continue to improve our operational and
financial systems, procedures and controls, increase
manufacturing capacity and output, and expand, train and manage
our growing employee base. Furthermore, our management will be
required to maintain and expand our relationships with our
customers, suppliers and other third parties. We cannot assure
you that our current and planned operations, personnel, systems
and internal procedures and controls will be adequate to support
our future growth.
4
If we encounter any of the risks described above, or are
otherwise unable to establish or successfully operate additional
manufacturing capacity or to increase manufacturing output, we
may be unable to grow our business and revenue, reduce our costs
per watt, maintain our competitiveness or improve our
profitability, and our business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects will be adversely affected.
We
recently acquired an early stage ingot plant. We may not be
successful in operating this new plant and expenditures required
to ramp up its capacity may strain our capital resources.
Furthermore, any shortfall in supply of polysilicon to that
plant may have a material adverse effect on our results of
operations and our future business prospects.
We have entered into the silicon ingot production business
through our acquisition of a 52% equity interest in Yangguang
Solar, an ingot plant that commenced operations in
October 2007. On June 23, 2008, we entered into an
agreement to acquire the remaining 48% equity interest in
Yangguang Solar from Nantong Linyang Electric Investment Co.,
Ltd., or Nantong Linyang (as to 18%), Jiangsu Qitian Group Co.,
Ltd. or, Qitian Group (as to 20%), and Jiangsu Guangyi
Technology Co., Ltd., or Jiangsu Guangyi (as to 10%) for an
aggregate consideration of approximately RMB355 million
(US$48.7 million). Upon the completion of this latest
acquisition, Yangguang Solar will become our 100% owned
subsidiary. Our expansion into the ingot business aims to secure
our access to steady supplies of ingots at reasonable prices,
and we intend to integrate such upstream business into our
increasingly vertical business model. However, we have no prior
experience in operating an ingot plant. The technology for the
manufacture of ingots is complex, requires costly equipment and
continuous modifications in order to improve yields and product
performance. Increases in lead times for delivering ingot-making
equipment could also delay or otherwise hamper the development
of our ingot business. We will also need to make substantial
capital expenditure in installing Yangguang Solars
production lines and ramping up its capacity in 2008, which may
put a strain on our capital resources.
Moreover, Yangguang Solar relies on Jiangsu Zhongneng PV
Technology Development Co., Ltd., or Zhongneng, which is also an
early stage company that has in the past experienced delays in
ramping up its operations, to supply a significant portion of
its polysilicon requirements. Under an agreement dated
June 22, 2008, Zhongneng will supply us with polysilicon
sufficient to produce 1.2GW of solar modules in aggregate over
eight years. However, prior to entering into the recent supply
agreement, Zhongneng had previously failed to deliver a
significant amount of agreed quantity of polysilicon to us. In
addition, we believe there currently is significant excess
demand in the global market for polysilicon and polysilicon
suppliers may be unable to meet anticipated requirements based
on their current production capacity. The ability of Zhongneng
to meet the polysilicon requirements of Yangguang Solar could be
materially and adversely impacted by many factors, including
operational and financial difficulties at Zhongneng. In
particular, any merger, acquisition or consolidation transaction
involving Zhongneng and any of our competitors could have an
adverse impact on our relationship with Zhongneng and our
ability to secure adequate supplies of polysilicon for our
operations. Moreover, if Zhongneng does not for whatever reason
supply polysilicon to Yangguang Solar in sufficient quantities
at commercially reasonable prices, Yangguang Solar may be unable
to source polysilicon from other third parties and therefore may
fail to meet its production targets for 2008 and 2009, which
would consequently have a material and adverse effect on our
results of operations for those periods and our future business
prospects.
We
depend on a limited number of customers for a high percentage of
our revenue and the loss of, or a significant reduction in
orders from, any of these customers, if not immediately
replaced, would significantly reduce our revenue and decrease
our profitability.
We currently sell a substantial portion of our PV products to a
limited number of customers. Our five largest customers
accounted for an aggregate of 78.8%, 85.4% and 43.0% of our net
revenue in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Most of our large
customers are located in Europe, particularly Germany, Italy and
Spain. The loss of sales to any one of these customers would
have a significant negative impact on our business. Sales to our
customers are mostly made through non-exclusive arrangements.
Due to our dependence on a limited number of customers, any one
of the following events may cause material fluctuations or
declines in our revenue and have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations:
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reduction, delay or cancellation of orders from one or more of
our significant customers;
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selection by one or more of our significant distributor
customers of our competitors products;
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loss of one or more of our significant customers and our failure
to identify additional or replacement customers;
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any adverse change in the bilateral or multilateral trade
relationships between China and European countries, particularly
Germany; and
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failure of any of our significant customers to make timely
payment for our products.
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We expect our operating results to continue to depend on sales
to a relatively small number of customers for a high percentage
of our revenue for the foreseeable future, as well as the
ability of these customers to sell PV products that incorporate
our PV products.
With certain significant customers, we enter into framework
agreements that set forth our customers purchase goals and
the general conditions under which our sales are to be made.
However, such framework agreements are only binding to the
extent a purchase order for a specific amount of our products is
issued. In addition, certain sales terms of the framework
agreements may be adjusted from time to time. For example, we
entered into a framework agreement with Social Capital S.L.
under which it agreed to purchase 84 MW of PV modules in
total from 2007 to 2008. However, since we could not reach an
agreement with Social Capital S.L. on actual sales terms, Social
Capital S.L. has not made any purchase order of our PV modules
and it is unlikely that it will purchase our PV modules in the
foreseeable future. In addition, we have in the past had
disagreements with our customers relating to the volumes,
delivery schedules and pricing terms contained in such framework
contracts that have required us to renegotiate these contracts.
However, renegotiation of our framework contracts may not always
be in our best interests and disagreements on terms could
escalate into formal disputes that could cause us to experience
order cancellations or harm our reputation.
Furthermore, our customer relationships have been developed over
a short period of time and are generally in preliminary stages.
We cannot be certain that these customers will generate
significant revenue for us in the future or if these customer
relationships will continue to develop. If our relationships
with customers do not continue to develop, we may not be able to
expand our customer base or maintain or increase our customers
and revenue. Moreover, our business, financial condition,
results of operations and prospects are affected by competition
in the market for the end products manufactured by our
customers, and any decline in their business could materially
harm our revenue and profitability.
We are
currently experiencing an industry-wide shortage of silicon
wafers. The prices that we pay for silicon wafers have increased
in the past and we expect prices may continue to increase in the
future, which may materially and adversely affect our revenue
growth and decrease our gross profit margins and
profitability.
Silicon wafers are an essential raw material in our production
of PV products. Silicon is created by refining quartz or sand,
and is melted and grown into crystalline ingots or other forms
which are then sliced into wafers. We depend on our suppliers
for timely delivery of silicon wafers in sufficient quantities
and satisfactory quality, and any disruption in supply or
inability to obtain silicon wafers at an acceptable cost, or at
all, will materially and adversely affect our business and
operations.
There is currently an industry-wide shortage of silicon and
silicon wafers, which has resulted in significant price
increases. Based on our experience, the average prices of
silicon and silicon wafers may continue to increase. Moreover,
we expect the shortages of silicon and silicon wafers to
continue as the PV industry continues to grow and as additional
manufacturing capacity is added. Silicon wafers are also used in
the semiconductor industry generally and any increase in demand
from that sector will exacerbate the current shortage. The
production of silicon and silicon wafers is capital intensive
and adding manufacturing capacity requires significant lead
time. While we are aware that several new facilities for the
manufacture of silicon and silicon wafers are under construction
around the world, we do not believe that the supply shortage
will be remedied in the near term. We expect that the demand for
silicon and silicon wafers will continue to outstrip supply for
the foreseeable future.
We have attempted to ease our supply shortages by prepaying for
silicon and silicon wafers and establishing strategic
relationships with selected suppliers. However, we cannot assure
you that we will be able to obtain supplies
6
from them or any other suppliers in sufficient quantities or at
acceptable prices. In particular, since some of our suppliers do
not themselves manufacture silicon but instead purchase their
requirements from other vendors, it is possible that these
suppliers will not be able to obtain sufficient silicon to
satisfy their contractual obligations to us. In addition, we,
like other companies in the PV industry, compete with companies
in the semiconductor industry for silicon wafers, and companies
in that sector typically have greater purchasing power and
market influence than companies in the PV industry. We acquire
silicon wafers from our suppliers primarily through short-term
supply arrangements for periods ranging from several months to
two years. This subjects us to the risk that our suppliers may
cease supplying silicon wafers to us for any reason, including
due to uncertainties in their financial viability and having
committed more volume to customers than they can deliver. These
suppliers could also choose not to honor such contracts and we
generally have limited resources to seek any form of
compensation. Historically, we have re-negotiated our contracts
with some of our major suppliers due to price increases in
silicon and silicon wafers. We cannot assure you that this would
not happen again in the future. If either of these circumstances
occurs, our supply of critical raw materials at reasonable costs
and our basic ability to conduct our business could be severely
restricted. Moreover, since some of our supply contracts may
require prepayment of a substantial portion of the contract
price, we may not be able to recover such prepayments and we
would suffer losses should such suppliers fail to fulfill their
delivery obligations under the contracts. Furthermore, we have
not fixed the price for a significant portion of the silicon
wafers supply for 2008 with some of our suppliers. As a result,
the price we will need to pay may need to be adjusted or
renegotiated to reflect the prevailing market price around the
time of delivery, which may be higher than we expect. Increases
in the prices of silicon and silicon wafers have in the past
increased our production costs and may materially and adversely
impact our cost of revenue, gross margins and profitability.
There are a limited number of silicon and silicon wafer
suppliers, and many of our competitors also purchase silicon and
silicon wafers from these suppliers. In addition, there has been
an ongoing trend in the industry towards vertical integration
whereby PV cell and PV module manufacturers expand into silicon
and silicon wafer manufacturing and silicon and silicon wafer
manufacturers expand into PV cell and PV module manufacturing.
To the extent that such vertical integration involves mergers or
acquisitions of existing silicon or silicon wafer manufacturers,
this trend may result in a reduction of the silicon and silicon
wafer supply that is freely available in the market to companies
such as our company, which may cause additional shortages or
increase pricing. Additionally, PV cell and PV module
manufacturers that have integrated silicon or silicon wafer
manufacturing may have a competitive advantage over us by virtue
of having access to their internal silicon or silicon wafer
supply at lower cost at a time of market shortages for those
materials. Since we have only been purchasing silicon and
silicon wafers in bulk for approximately three years, our
competitors may have longer and stronger relationships with
these suppliers than we do. As we intend to significantly
increase our manufacturing output, an inadequate allocation of
silicon wafers would have a material adverse effect on our
expansion plans. Moreover, the inability to obtain silicon and
silicon wafers at commercially reasonable prices or at all would
harm our ability to meet existing and future customer demand for
our products, and could cause us to make fewer shipments, lose
customers and market share and generate lower than anticipated
revenue, thereby materially and adversely affecting our
business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects.
Our
dependence on a limited number of suppliers for a substantial
majority of silicon and silicon wafers could prevent us from
delivering our products in a timely manner to our customers in
the required quantities, which could result in order
cancellations, decreased revenue and loss of market
share.
In 2005, 2006 and 2007, our five largest suppliers supplied in
the aggregate 71.3%, 50.9% and 59.0%, respectively, of our total
silicon and silicon wafer purchases. If we fail to develop or
maintain our relationships with these or our other suppliers, we
may be unable to manufacture our products, our products may only
be available at a higher cost or after a long delay, or we could
be prevented from delivering our products to our customers in
the required quantities, at competitive prices and on acceptable
terms of delivery. Problems of this kind could cause us to
experience order cancellations, decreased revenue and loss of
market share. In general, the failure of a supplier to supply
materials and components that meet our quality, quantity and
cost requirements in a timely manner due to lack of supplies or
other reasons could impair our ability to manufacture our
products or could increase our costs, particularly if we are
unable to obtain these materials and components from alternative
sources in a timely manner or on commercially reasonable terms.
Allegations have been made and may be made in the future
regarding the quality of our suppliers inventories. In
addition, some of our suppliers have a limited operating history
and limited
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financial resources, and the contracts we entered into with
these suppliers do not clearly provide for adequate remedies to
us in the event any of these suppliers is not able to, or
otherwise does not, deliver, in a timely manner or at all, any
materials it is contractually obligated to deliver. In
particular, due to a shortage of raw materials for the
production of silicon wafers, increased market demand for
silicon wafers, a failure by some silicon suppliers to achieve
expected production volumes and other factors, some of our major
silicon wafer suppliers failed to fully perform in the past on
their silicon wafer supply commitments to us, and we
consequently did not receive all of the contractually agreed
quantities of silicon wafers from these suppliers. We cannot
assure you that we will not experience similar or additional
shortfalls of silicon or silicon wafers from our suppliers in
the future or that, in the event of such shortfalls, we will be
able to find other silicon suppliers to satisfy our production
needs. Any disruption in the supply of silicon wafers to us may
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
Our
ability to adjust our materials costs may be limited as a result
of entering into prepaid, fixed-price arrangements with our
suppliers, and it therefore may be difficult for us to respond
appropriately in a timely manner to market conditions, which
could materially and adversely affect our revenue
and profitability.
We have in the past secured, and plan to continue to secure, our
supply of silicon and silicon wafers through prepaid supply
arrangements with overseas and domestic suppliers. In the past,
we entered into supply contracts with some of our suppliers,
under which these suppliers agreed to provide us with specified
quantities of silicon wafers and we have made prepayments to
these suppliers in accordance with the supply contracts. As of
December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, we had advanced
RMB61.3 million, RMB238.2 million and
RMB640.1 million (US$87.8 million) to our suppliers,
respectively. The prices of the supply contracts we entered into
with some of our suppliers are fixed. If the prices of silicon
or silicon wafers were to decrease in the future and we are
locked into prepaid, fixed-price arrangements, we may not be
able to adjust our materials costs, and our cost of revenue
would be materially and adversely affected. In addition, if
demand for our PV products decreases, we may incur costs
associated with carrying excess materials, which may have a
material adverse effect on our operating expenses. To the extent
we are not able to pass these increased costs and expenses to
our customers, our revenue and profitability may be materially
reduced.
We
require a significant amount of cash to fund our operations as
well as meet future capital requirements. If we cannot obtain
additional capital when we need it, our growth prospects and
future profitability may be materially and adversely
affected.
We typically require a significant amount of cash to fund our
operations, especially prepayments to suppliers to secure our
silicon wafer requirements. We also require cash generally to
meet future capital requirements, which are difficult to plan in
the rapidly changing PV industry. In particular, we will need
capital to fund the expansion of our facilities as well as
research and development activities in order to remain
competitive. Furthermore, we acquired a 52% equity interest in
Yangguang Solar, a newly established silicon ingot plant, in
August 2007 and subsequently entered into a share transfer
agreement to acquire the remaining 48% stake in June 2008. We
will need to make substantial capital expenditures in equipment
purchases of Yangguang Solar to ramp up its production capacity
in 2008. In addition, under the supply agreement dated
June 22, 2008 between Zhongneng and us, we are required to
make a non-refundable prepayment of RMB357.4 million to
Zhongneng. Any future acquisitions, expansions, or market
changes or other developments will cause us to require
additional funds. Our ability to obtain external financing in
the future is subject to a variety of uncertainties, including:
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our future financial condition, results of operations and cash
flows;
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general market conditions for financing activities by
manufacturers of PV and related products; and
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economic, political and other conditions in the PRC and
elsewhere.
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We cannot assure you that financing will be available on
satisfactory terms, or at all. In particular, as of
December 31, 2007, RMB940.0 million
(US$128.9 million) of our outstanding borrowings were
guaranteed by Jiangsu Linyang Electronics Co., Ltd., or Linyang
Electronics, a company controlled by Mr. Yonghua Lu, our
chairman. We do not have control over Linyang Electronics and
Mr. Lu has recently reduced his holding of our
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shares by a significant amount. See Two of our
existing shareholders have substantial influence over our
company and their interests may not be aligned with the
interests of our other shareholders. Mr. Lu also
resigned as our chief executive officer as of February 25,
2008. If for any reason Linyang Electronics ceases to guarantee
our existing borrowings, it may be difficult for us to obtain
necessary financing in a timely manner or on commercially
acceptable terms and our growth prospects and future
profitability may decrease materially.
We
face risks associated with the marketing, distribution and sale
of our PV products internationally, and if we are unable to
effectively manage these risks, they could impair our ability to
expand our business abroad.
In 2005, 2006 and 2007, a substantial majority of our revenue
was generated by sales to customers outside of China. The
marketing, distribution and sale of our PV products overseas
expose us to a number of risks, including:
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fluctuations in currency exchange rates of the U.S. dollar,
Euro and other foreign currencies against the Renminbi;
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difficulty in engaging and retaining distributors and agents who
are knowledgeable about, and can function effectively in,
overseas markets;
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increased costs associated with maintaining marketing and sales
activities in various countries;
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difficulty and costs relating to compliance with different
commercial and legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which
we offer our products;
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inability to obtain, maintain or enforce intellectual property
rights; and
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trade barriers, such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and
other restrictions and expenses, which could increase the prices
of our products and make us less competitive in some countries.
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If we are unable to effectively manage these risks, our ability
to conduct or expand our business abroad would be impaired,
which may in turn have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition, results of operations and
prospects.
If we
are unable to compete in the highly competitive PV market, our
revenue and profits may decrease.
The PV market is very competitive. We face competition from a
number of sources, including domestic, foreign and multinational
corporations. We believe that the principal competitive factors
in the markets for our products are:
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manufacturing capacity;
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power efficiency;
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range and quality of products;
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price;
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strength of supply chain and distribution network;
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after-sales inquiry; and
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brand image.
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Many of our current and potential competitors have longer
operating histories, greater name recognition, access to larger
customer bases and resources and significantly greater economies
of scale, and financial, sales and marketing, manufacturing,
distribution, technical and other resources than we do. In
particular, many of our competitors are developing and
manufacturing solar energy products based on new technologies
that may ultimately have costs similar to, or lower than, our
projected costs. In addition, our competitors may have stronger
relationships or have or may enter into exclusive relationships
with key suppliers, distributors or system integrators to whom
we sell our products. As a result, they may be able to respond
more quickly to changing customer demands or devote greater
resources to the development, promotion and sales of their
products than we can. Furthermore,
9
competitors with more diversified product offerings may be
better positioned to withstand a decline in the demand for PV
products. Some of our competitors have also become vertically
integrated, with businesses ranging from upstream silicon wafer
manufacturing to solar power system integration, and we may also
face competition from semiconductor manufacturers, several of
which have already announced their intention to commence
production of PV cells and PV modules. It is possible that new
competitors or alliances among existing competitors could emerge
and rapidly acquire significant market share, which would harm
our business. If we fail to compete successfully, our business
would suffer and we may lose or be unable to gain market share
and our financial condition and results of operations would be
materially and adversely affected.
In the immediate future, we believe that the competitive arena
will increasingly center around securing silicon supply and
forming strategic relationships to secure supply of key
components and technologies. Many of our competitors have
greater access to silicon supply or have upstream silicon wafer
manufacturing capabilities. We believe that as the supply of
silicon stabilizes over time, competition will become
increasingly based upon marketing and sales activities. Since we
have conducted limited advertising in the past, the greater
sales and marketing resources, experience and name recognition
of some of our competitors may make it difficult for us to
compete if and when this transition occurs.
In addition, the PV market in general competes with other
sources of renewable energy as well as conventional power
generation. If prices for conventional and other renewable
energy resources decline, or if these resources enjoy greater
policy support than solar power, the PV market and our business
and prospects could suffer.
Our
profitability depends on our ability to respond to rapid market
changes in the PV industry, including by developing new
technologies and offering additional products and
services.
The PV industry is characterized by rapid increases in the
diversity and complexity of technologies, products and services.
In particular, the ongoing evolution of technological standards
requires products with improved features, such as more efficient
and higher power output and improved aesthetics. As a result, we
expect that we will need to constantly offer more sophisticated
products and services in order to respond to competitive
industry conditions and customer demands. If we fail to develop,
or obtain access to, advances in technologies, or if we are not
able to offer more sophisticated products and services, we may
become less competitive and less profitable. In addition,
advances in technologies typically lead to declining average
selling prices for products using older technologies. As a
result, if we are not able to reduce the costs associated with
our products, the profitability of any given product, and our
overall profitability, may decrease over time. Furthermore,
technologies developed by our competitors may provide more
advantages than ours for the commercialization of PV products,
and to the extent we are not able to refine our technologies and
develop new PV products, our existing products may become
uncompetitive and obsolete.
In addition, we will need to invest significant financial
resources in research and development to maintain our
competitiveness and keep pace with technological advances in the
PV industry. However, commercial acceptance by customers of new
products we offer may not occur at the rate or level expected,
and we may not be able to successfully adapt existing products
to effectively and economically meet customer demands, thus
impairing the return from our investments. We may also be
required under the applicable accounting standards to recognize
a charge for the impairment of assets to the extent our existing
products become uncompetitive or obsolete, or if any new
products fail to achieve commercial acceptance. Any such charge
may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition
and results of operations.
Moreover, in response to the rapidly evolving conditions in the
PV industry, we plan to expand our business downstream to
provide system integration products and services. This expansion
requires significant investment and management attention from
us, and we are likely to face intense competition from companies
that have extensive experience and well-established businesses
and customer bases in the system integration sector. We cannot
assure you that we will succeed in expanding our business
downstream. If we are not able to bring quality products and
services to market in a timely and cost-effective manner and
successfully market and sell these products and services, our
ability to continue penetrating the PV market, as well as our
results of operations and profitability, will be materially and
adversely affected.
10
Our
future success depends in part on our ability to make strategic
acquisitions and investments and to establish and maintain
strategic alliances, and failure to do so could have a material
adverse effect on our market penetration, revenue growth and
profitability. In addition, such strategic acquisitions,
alliances and investments themselves entail significant risks
that could materially and adversely affect our
business.
We entered into the silicon ingot production business through
our acquisition of a 52% equity interest in Yangguang Solar, an
ingot plant that commenced operations in October 2007 and
subsequently entered into a share transfer agreement to acquire
the remaining 48% stake in June 2008. In addition, we have
purchased and are in the process of installing six wire saws
which can be used to slice ingots into wafers. We plan to
purchase and install an additional 54 wire saws, the completion
of which will increase the annual aggregate manufacturing
capacity of wires saws to 300 MW. We expect this new
facility to be completed by March 2009. We are also pursuing
expansion into downstream system integration services through
our subsidiary, Shanghai Linyang, and we are considering
pursuing upstream silicon feedstock sourcing through strategic
partnerships and investments. We intend to continue to establish
and maintain strategic alliances with third parties in the PV
industry, particularly with silicon suppliers. These types of
transactions could require that our management develop expertise
in new areas, manage new business relationships and attract new
types of customers and may require significant attention from
our management, and the diversion of our managements
attention could have a material adverse effect on our ability to
manage our business. We may also experience difficulties
integrating acquisitions and investments into our existing
business and operations. Furthermore, we may not be able to
successfully make such strategic acquisitions and investments or
to establish strategic alliances with third parties that will
prove to be effective or beneficial for our business. Any
difficulty we face in this regard could have a material adverse
effect on our market penetration, our results of operations and
our profitability.
Strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances with third
parties could subject us to a number of risks, including risks
associated with sharing proprietary information and loss of
control of operations that are material to our business.
Moreover, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances may
be expensive to implement and subject us to the risk of
non-performance by a counterparty, which may in turn lead to
monetary losses that materially and adversely affect our
business. In addition, changes in government policies, both
domestically and internationally, that are not favorable to the
development of the PV industry, may also have a material adverse
effect on the success of our strategic acquisitions, investments
and alliances.
Problems
with product quality or product performance could result in a
decrease in customers and revenue, unexpected expenses and loss
of market share. In addition, product liability claims against
us could result in adverse publicity and potentially significant
monetary damages.
Our PV modules are typically sold with a two to five years
limited warranty for technical defects, a
10-year
limited warranty against declines greater than 10%, and a 20 to
25-year
limited warranty against declines of greater than 20%, in their
initial power generation capacity. As a result, we bear the risk
of extensive warranty claims for an extended period after we
have sold our products and recognized revenue. Since our
products have been in use for only a relatively short period,
our assumptions regarding the durability and reliability of our
products may not be accurate. We consider various factors when
determining the likelihood of product defects, including an
evaluation of our quality controls, technical analysis, industry
information on comparable companies and our own experience. As
of December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, our accrued warranty
costs totaled RMB1.5 million, RMB7.6 million and
RMB21.0 million (US$2.9 million), respectively.
In addition, as we purchase the silicon and silicon wafers and
other components that we use in our products from third parties,
we have limited control over the quality of these raw materials
and components. Unlike PV modules, which are subject to certain
uniform international standards, silicon and silicon wafers
generally do not have uniform international standards, and it is
often difficult to determine whether product defects are a
result of the silicon or silicon wafers or other components or
reasons. Furthermore, the silicon and silicon wafers and other
components that we purchase from third-party suppliers are
typically sold to us with no or only limited warranties. The
possibility of future product failures could cause us to incur
substantial expense to provide refunds or resolve disputes with
regard to warranty claims through litigation, arbitration or
other means. Product failures and related adverse publicity may
also damage our market reputation and cause our sales to decline.
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As with other PV product manufacturers, we are exposed to risks
associated with product liability claims if the use of the PV
products we sell results in injury, death or damage to property.
We cannot predict at this time whether product liability claims
will be brought against us in the future or the effect of any
resulting negative publicity on our business. In addition, we
have not made provisions for potential product liability claims
and we may not have adequate resources to satisfy a judgment if
a successful claim is brought against us. Moreover, the
successful assertion of product liability claims against us
could result in potentially significant monetary damages and
require us to make significant payments and incur substantial
legal expenses. Even if a product liability claim is not
successfully pursued to judgment by a claimant, we may still
incur substantial legal expenses defending against such a claim.
If PV
technology is not suitable for widespread adoption, or
sufficient demand for PV products does not develop or takes
longer to develop than we anticipated, our sales may not
continue to increase or may even decline, and our revenue and
profitability would be reduced.
The PV market is at a relatively early stage of development and
the extent to which PV products will be widely adopted is
uncertain. Furthermore, market data in the PV industry are not
as readily available as those in other more established
industries, where trends can be assessed more reliably from data
gathered over a longer period of time. If PV technology, in
particular the type of PV technology that we have adopted,
proves unsuitable for widespread adoption or if demand for PV
products fails to develop sufficiently, we may not be able to
grow our business or generate sufficient revenue to sustain our
profitability. In addition, demand for PV products in our
targeted markets, including China, may not develop or may
develop to a lesser extent than we anticipated. Many factors may
affect the viability of widespread adoption of PV technology and
demand for PV products, including:
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cost-effectiveness of PV products compared to conventional and
other non-solar energy sources and products;
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performance and reliability of PV products compared to
conventional and other non-solar energy sources and products;
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availability of government subsidies and incentives to support
the development of the PV industry or other energy resource
industries;
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success of other alternative energy generation technologies,
such as fuel cells, wind power and biomass;
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fluctuations in economic and market conditions that affect the
viability of conventional and non-solar alternative energy
sources, such as increases or decreases in the prices of oil and
other fossil fuels;
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capital expenditures by end users of PV products, which tend to
decrease when the overall economy slows down; and
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deregulation of the electric power industry and the broader
energy industry.
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Existing
regulations and policies governing the electricity utility
industry, as well as changes to these regulations and policies,
may adversely affect demand for our products and materially
reduce our revenue and profits.
The electric utility industry is subject to extensive
regulation, and the market for PV products, is heavily
influenced by these regulations as well as the policies
promulgated by electric utilities. These regulations and
policies often affect electricity pricing and technical
interconnection of end-user power generation. As the market for
solar and other alternative energy sources continue to evolve,
these regulations and policies are being modified and may
continue to be modified. Customer purchases of, or further
investment in research and development of, solar and other
alternative energy sources may be significantly affected by
these regulations and policies, which could significantly reduce
demand for our products and materially reduce our revenue and
profits.
Moreover, we expect that our PV products and their installation
will be subject to oversight and regulation in accordance with
national and local ordinances relating to building codes,
safety, environmental protection, utility interconnection and
metering and related matters in various countries. We also have
to comply with the requirements of individual localities and
design equipment to comply with varying standards applicable in
the jurisdictions
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where we conduct business. Any new government regulations or
utility policies pertaining to our PV products may result in
significant additional expenses to us, our distributors and end
users and, as a result, could cause a significant reduction in
demand for our PV products, as well as materially and adversely
affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The
reduction or elimination of government subsidies and economic
incentives for on-grid solar energy applications could have a
materially adverse effect on our business and
prospects.
We believe that the near-term growth of the market for
on-grid applications, where solar energy is used to
supplement a customers electricity purchased from the
electric utility, depends in large part on the availability and
size of government subsidies and economic incentives. As a
portion of our sales is in the on-grid market, the reduction or
elimination of government subsidies and economic incentives may
hinder the growth of this market or result in increased price
competition, which could decrease demand for our products and
reduce our revenue.
The cost of solar energy currently substantially exceeds the
cost of power furnished by the electric utility grid in many
locations. As a result, federal, state and local governmental
bodies in many countries, most notably Germany, Italy, Spain and
the United States, have provided subsidies and economic
incentives in the form of rebates, tax credits and other
incentives to end users, distributors, system integrators and
manufacturers of PV products to promote the use of solar energy
in on-grid applications and to reduce dependency on other forms
of energy. Certain of these government economic incentives are
set to be reduced and may be reduced further, or eliminated. In
particular, political changes in a particular country could
result in significant reductions or eliminations of subsidies or
economic incentives. Electric utility companies that have
significant political lobbying powers may also seek changes in
the relevant legislation in their markets that may adversely
affect the development and commercial acceptance of solar
energy. The reduction or elimination of government subsidies and
economic incentives for on-grid solar energy applications,
especially those in our target markets, could cause demand for
our products and our revenue to decline, and have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of
operations and prospects.
The
lack or inaccessibility of financing for off-grid solar energy
applications could cause our sales to decline.
Our products are used for off-grid solar energy
applications in developed and developing countries, where solar
energy is provided to end users independent of an electricity
transmission grid. In some countries, government agencies and
the private sector have, from time to time, provided subsidies
or financing on preferred terms for rural electrification
programs. We believe that the availability of financing could
have a significant effect on the level of sales of off-grid
solar energy applications, particularly in developing countries
where users may not have sufficient resources or credit to
otherwise acquire PV systems. If existing financing programs for
off-grid solar energy applications are eliminated or if
financing becomes inaccessible, the growth of the market for
off-grid solar energy applications may be materially and
adversely affected, which could cause our sales to decline. In
addition, rising interest rates could render existing financings
more expensive, as well as serve as an obstacle for potential
financings that would otherwise spur the growth of the PV
industry.
Our
failure to protect our intellectual property rights may
undermine our competitive position, and litigation to protect
our intellectual property rights may be costly.
We rely primarily on patents, trademarks, trade secrets,
copyrights and other contractual restrictions to protect our
intellectual property. Nevertheless, these afford only limited
protection and the actions we take to protect our intellectual
property rights may not be adequate. In particular, third
parties may infringe or misappropriate our proprietary
technologies or other intellectual property rights, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations. Policing unauthorized use
of our proprietary technologies can be difficult and expensive.
In addition, litigation may be necessary to enforce our
intellectual property rights, protect our trade secrets or
determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of
others. We also cannot assure you that the outcome of any such
litigation would be in our favor. Furthermore, any such
litigation may be costly and may divert management attention as
well as expend our other resources away from our business. An
adverse determination in any such litigation will impair our
intellectual property rights and may harm our business,
prospects and reputation.
13
In addition, we have no insurance coverage against litigation
costs and would have to bear all costs arising from such
litigation to the extent we are unable to recover them from
other parties. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
Implementation of PRC intellectual property-related laws has
historically been lacking, primarily because of ambiguities in
the PRC laws and difficulties in enforcement. Accordingly,
intellectual property rights and confidentiality protections in
China may not be as effective as in the United States or other
countries.
We may
be exposed to infringement or misappropriation claims by third
parties, particularly in jurisdictions outside China which, if
determined adversely against us, could disrupt our business and
subject us to significant liability to third parties, as well as
have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and
results of operations.
Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to use and
develop our technologies and know-how without infringing the
intellectual property rights of third parties. As we continue to
market and sell our products internationally, and as litigation
becomes more common in the PRC, we face a higher risk of being
the subject of claims for intellectual property infringement, as
well as having indemnification relating to other parties
proprietary rights held to be invalid. Our current or potential
competitors, many of which have substantial resources and have
made substantial investments in competing technologies, may have
or may obtain patents that will prevent, limit or interfere with
our ability to make, use or sell our products in the European
Union, the PRC or other countries. The validity and scope of
claims relating to PV technology patents involve complex,
scientific, legal and factual questions and analysis and,
therefore, may be highly uncertain. In addition, the defense of
intellectual property claims, including patent infringement
suits, and related legal and administrative proceedings can be
both costly and time consuming, and may significantly divert the
efforts and resources of our technical and management personnel.
Furthermore, an adverse determination in any such litigation or
proceeding to which we may become a party could cause us to:
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pay damage awards;
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seek licenses from third parties;
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pay ongoing royalties;
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redesign our products; or
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be restricted by injunctions,
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each of which could effectively prevent us from pursuing some or
all of our business and result in our customers or potential
customers deferring or limiting their purchase or use of our
products, which could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations.
We may
not be able to obtain sufficient patent protection on the
technologies embodied in the PV products we currently
manufacture and sell, which could reduce our competitiveness and
increase our expenses.
Although we rely primarily on trade secret laws and contractual
restrictions to protect the technologies in the PV cells we
currently manufacture and sell, our success and ability to
compete in the future may also depend to a significant degree on
obtaining patent protection for our proprietary technologies. As
of June 2, 2008, we had three issued patents and six
pending patent applications in the PRC. We do not have, and have
not applied for, any patents for our proprietary technologies
outside the PRC. As the protections afforded by our patents are
effective only in the PRC, our competitors and other companies
may independently develop substantially equivalent technologies
or otherwise gain access to our proprietary technologies, and
obtain patents for such technologies in other jurisdictions,
including the countries in which we sell our products. Moreover,
our patent applications in the PRC may not result in issued
patents, and even if they do result in issued patents, the
patents may not have claims of the scope we seek. In addition,
any issued patents may be challenged, invalidated or declared
unenforceable. As a result, our present and future patents may
provide only limited protection for our technologies, and may
not be sufficient to provide competitive advantages to us.
14
We
depend on our key personnel, and our business and growth may be
severely disrupted if we lose their services.
Our future success depends substantially on the continued
services of some of our directors and key executives. In
particular, we are highly dependent upon our directors and
officers, including Mr. Yonghua Lu, chairman of our board
of directors, Mr. Henricus Johannes Petrus Hoskens, our
chief executive officer, Mr. Hanfei Wang, our director and
chief operating officer, and Mr. Yuting Wang, our chief
engineer. In 2007, Mr. Fei Yun resigned as director of
technology and Mr. Kevin C. Wei, our former chief
financial officer, also left us as his employment contract
expired in October 2007. If we lose the services of one or more
of our current directors and executive officers, we may not be
able to replace them readily, if at all, with suitable or
qualified candidates, and may incur additional expenses to
recruit and retain new directors and officers, particularly
those with a significant mix of both international and
China-based PV industry experience similar to our current
directors and officers, which could severely disrupt our
business and growth. In addition, if any of our directors or
executives joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we
may lose some of our customers. Each of these directors and
executive officers has entered into an employment agreement with
us, which contains confidentiality and non-competition
provisions. However, if any disputes arise between these
directors or executive officers and us, it is not clear, in
light of uncertainties associated with the PRC legal system, the
extent to which any of these agreements could be enforced in
China, where all of these directors and executive officers
reside and hold some of their assets. See
Risks Related to Doing Business in
China Uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal
system could have a material adverse effect on us.
Furthermore, as we expect to continue to expand our operations
and develop new products, we will need to continue attracting
and retaining experienced management and key research and
development personnel.
Competition for personnel in the PV industry in China is
intense, and the availability of suitable and qualified
candidates is limited. In particular, we compete to attract and
retain qualified research and development personnel with other
PV technology companies, universities and research institutions.
Competition for these individuals could cause us to offer higher
compensation and other benefits in order to attract and retain
them, which could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations. We may also be
unable to attract or retain the personnel necessary to achieve
our business objectives, and any failure in this regard could
severely disrupt our business and growth.
Our
recent changes in chief executive officer and chief financial
officer and resignation of our principal accounting officer may
have an adverse effect on the overall operations of our company
and the functioning of our financial controls and
reporting.
We recently appointed Mr. Henricus Johannes Petrus Hoskens
as our new chief executive officer. His tenure commenced on
February 25, 2008 and Mr. Yonghua Lu resigned as our
chief executive officer as of the same date. Although
Mr. Lu continues to serve as our chairman and remains
actively involved in our business focusing on various areas of
strategic importance in our company, the transition period for
our chief executive officer may not be smooth and there may be
an adverse effect on our overall operations.
In addition, we appointed Ms. Amy Jing Liu to be our chief
financial officer in October 2007, replacing Mr. Kevin C.
Wei, whose employment contract expired on October 31, 2007.
Ms. Ru Cai, our former principal accounting officer, also
resigned in 2007. Although there was an overlap of almost two
weeks between the end of Mr. Weis tenure at our
company and Ms. Lius appointment and we have hired
additional financial officers during the past few months, there
may be an adverse effect on the functioning of our financial
controls and reporting as a result of this change in management.
Any
failure to achieve and maintain effective internal controls
could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of
operations and the market price of our ADSs.
The SEC, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, adopted rules requiring
every public company to include a management report on such
companys internal controls over financial reporting in its
annual report, which contains managements assessment of
the effectiveness of the
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companys internal controls over financial reporting. In
addition, an independent registered public accounting firm must
attest to and report on the effectiveness of the companys
internal controls over financial reporting.
Our management and independent registered public accounting firm
have concluded that our internal controls as of
December 31, 2007 were effective. However, we cannot assure
you that in the future our management or our independent
registered public accounting firm will not identify material
weakness during the Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
audit process or for other reasons. In addition, because of the
inherent limitations of internal control over financial
reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper
management override of controls, material misstatements due to
error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely
basis. As a result, if we fail to maintain effective internal
controls over financial reporting or should we be unable to
prevent or detect material misstatements due to error or fraud
on a timely basis, investors could lose confidence in the
reliability of our financial statements, which in turn could
harm our business, results of operations and negatively impact
the market price of our ADSs, and harm our reputation.
Furthermore, we have incurred and expected to continue to incur
considerable costs and to use significant management time and
other resources in an effort to comply with Section 404 and
other requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
We
have limited insurance coverage and we are subject to the risk
of damage due to fires or explosions because some materials we
use in our manufacturing processes are highly
flammable.
We are subject to risk of explosion and fires, as highly
flammable gases, such as silane and nitrogen gas, are generated
in our manufacturing processes. While we have not experienced to
date any explosion or fire, the risks associated with these
gases cannot be completely eliminated. In addition, as the
insurance industry in China is still in an early stage of
development, business interruption insurance available in China
offers limited coverage compared to that offered in many other
countries. Although we have obtained business interruption
insurance, any business disruption or natural disaster could
result in substantial costs and diversion of resources.
We are also exposed to risks associated with product liability
claims in the event that the use of the PV products we sell
results in injury. Due to limited historical experience, we are
unable to predict whether product liability claims will be
brought against us in the future or the effect of any resulting
adverse publicity on our business. Moreover, we only have
limited product liability insurance and may not have adequate
resources to satisfy a judgment in the event of a successful
claim against us. The successful assertion of product liability
claims against us could result in potentially significant
monetary damages and require us to make significant payments,
which could materially and adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Any
environmental claims or failure to comply with any present or
future environmental regulations may require us to spend
additional funds and may materially and adversely affect our
financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations relating to
the use, storage, discharge and disposal of chemical by-products
of, and water used in, our manufacturing operations and research
and development activities, including toxic, volatile and
otherwise hazardous chemicals and wastes. We are in compliance
with current environmental regulations to conduct our business
as it is presently conducted. Although we have not suffered
material environmental claims in the past, the failure to comply
with any present or future regulations could result in the
assessment of damages or imposition of fines against us,
suspension of production or a cessation of our operations. New
regulations could also require us to acquire costly equipment or
to incur other significant expenses. Any failure by us to
control the use of, or to adequately restrict the discharge of,
hazardous substances could subject us to potentially significant
monetary damages and fines or suspension of our business, as
well as our financial condition and results of operations.
The use of certain hazardous substances, such as lead, in
various products is also coming under increasingly stringent
governmental regulation. Increased environmental regulation in
this area could adversely impact the manufacture and sale of
solar modules that contain lead and could require us to make
unanticipated environmental expenditures. For example, the
European Union Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment, or the WEEE Directive, requires
manufacturers of certain electrical and electronic equipment to
be financially responsible for the collection, recycling,
treatment and disposal of specified products placed on the
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market in the European Union. In addition, European Union
Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the use of Hazardous
Substances in electrical and electronic equipment, or the RoHS
Directive, restricts the use of certain hazardous substances,
including lead, in specified products. Other jurisdictions are
considering adopting similar legislation. Currently, we are not
required under the WEEE or RoHS Directives to collect, recycle
or dispose any of our products. However, the Directives allow
for future amendments subjecting additional products to the
Directives requirements. If, in the future, our solar
modules become subject to such requirements, we may be required
to apply for an exemption. If we were unable to obtain an
exemption, we would be required to redesign our solar modules in
order to continue to offer them for sale within the European
Union, which would be impractical. Failure to comply with the
Directives could result in the imposition of fines and
penalties, the inability to sell our solar modules in the
European Union, competitive disadvantages and loss of net sales,
all of which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our
business benefits from certain PRC government incentives.
Expiration of, or changes to, these incentives could have a
material adverse effect on our results of
operations.
In accordance with the former PRC Income Tax Law for Enterprises
with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises, or the FIE Tax
Law and the related implementing rules, Jiangsu Linyang Solarfun
Co., Ltd., or Linyang China, our wholly-owned operating
subsidiary in China, was exempted from enterprise income tax in
2005 and 2006, was taxed at a reduced rate of 12% in 2007, and
would be taxed at the reduced rate of 12% in 2008 and 2009. From
2005 until the end of 2009, Linyang China would also be exempted
from the 3% local income tax. Furthermore, Linyang China would
be entitled to a two-year income tax exemption for 2006 and 2007
and a reduced tax rate of 12% for the following three years on
income generated from additional investment in the production
capacity of Linyang China resulting from our contribution to
Linyang China of the funds we received through the issuances of
our series A convertible preference shares in June and
August 2006.
On March 16, 2007, the PRC government promulgated Law of
the Peoples Republic of China on Enterprise Income Tax, or
EIT Law, which became effective January 1, 2008. Under EIT
Law, domestically owned enterprises and foreign-invested
enterprises, or FIE, are subject to a uniform tax rate of 25%.
While the EIT Law equalizes the tax rates for FIE and
domestically owned enterprises, preferential tax treatment (e.g.
tax rate of 15%) would continue to be given to companies in
certain encouraged sectors and to entities classified as
high-technology companies, whether domestically owned
enterprises or FIE. The EIT Law also provides a five-year
transition period starting from its effective date for those
enterprises which were established before the promulgation date
of the EIT Law and which were entitled to a preferential lower
tax rate or tax holiday under the then effective tax laws or
regulations. The tax rate of such enterprises will transition to
the uniform tax rate within a five-year transition period and
the tax holiday, which has been enjoyed by such enterprises
before the effective date of the EIT Law, may continue to be
enjoyed until the end of the holiday. Linyang China is preparing
to file its application to be qualified as a high-technology
company which is pending governmental approval.
Under
the EIT Law, we may be classified as a Resident
Enterprise of the PRC. Such classification would likely
result in negative tax consequences to us and could result in
negative tax consequences to our non-PRC enterprise shareholders
and ADS holders.
Under the EIT Law, which took effect as of January 1, 2008,
enterprises established under the laws of non-PRC jurisdictions
but whose de facto management body is located in the
PRC are considered resident enterprises for PRC tax
purposes and are subject to the EIT Law. According to the
Implementation Regulations for the EIT Law of the PRC issued by
the State Council on December 6, 2007, de facto management
body is defined as an establishment that exerts substantial and
comprehensive management and control over the business
operations, staff, accounting, assets and other aspects of the
enterprise.
We are a Cayman Islands holding company and substantially all of
our income are derived from dividends we receive from our
operating subsidiaries located in the PRC. If we are treated as
a resident enterprise for PRC tax purposes, we will
be subject to PRC income tax on our worldwide income at a
uniform tax rate of 25%, and the dividends distributed from our
PRC subsidiaries to our Hong Kong company and BVI company and
ultimately to our Cayman Islands company, could be exempt from
Chinese dividend withholding tax.
17
In addition, although the EIT Law provides that dividend income
between qualified resident enterprises is exempted
from the 10% withholding tax on dividends paid to non-PRC
enterprise shareholders, it is still not free of doubt whether
we will be considered to be a qualified resident
enterprise under the EIT Law. If we are considered a
non-resident enterprise, dividends paid to us by our
subsidiaries in the PRC (through our holding company structure)
may be subject to the 10% withholding tax.
If we are deemed by the PRC tax authorities as a resident
enterprise, under the existing implementation rules of the
EIT Law and other applicable tax rules, it is unclear whether
the interests or dividends we pay with respect to our notes,
ordinary shares or ADSs, would be treated as income derived from
sources within the PRC and be subject to PRC tax.
Fluctuations
in exchange rates could adversely affect our business as well as
result in foreign currency exchange losses.
Our financial statements are expressed in, and our functional
currency is Renminbi. The change in value of the Renminbi
against the U.S. dollar, Euro and other currencies is
affected by, among other things, changes in Chinas
political and economic conditions. On July 21, 2005, the
PRC government changed its decade-old policy of pegging the
value of the Renminbi to the U.S. dollar. Under the new
policy, the Renminbi is permitted to fluctuate within a narrow
and managed band against a basket of certain foreign currencies.
This change in policy has resulted in a more than 17.4%
appreciation of the Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. The
PRC government may decide to adopt an even more flexible
currency policy in the future, which could result in a further
and more significant appreciation of the Renminbi against the
U.S. dollar. An appreciation of the Renminbi relative to
other foreign currencies could decrease the per unit revenue
generated from our international sales. If we increased our
pricing to compensate for the reduced purchasing power of
foreign currencies, we may decrease the market competitiveness,
on a price basis, of our products. This could result in a
decrease in our international sales and materially and adversely
affect our business.
A substantial portion of our sales is denominated in
U.S. dollars and Euros, while a substantial portion of our
costs and expenses is denominated in Renminbi. As a result, the
revaluation of the Renminbi in July 2005 has increased, and
further revaluations could further increase, our costs. In
addition, as we rely entirely on dividends paid to us by Linyang
China, our operating subsidiary in the PRC, any significant
revaluation of the Renminbi may have a material adverse effect
on our financial condition and results of operations. The value
of, and any dividends payable on, our ADSs in foreign currency
terms will also be affected. Conversely, if we decide to convert
our Renminbi into U.S. dollars for the purpose of making
payments for dividends on our ordinary shares or ADSs or for
other business purposes, an appreciation of the U.S. dollar
against the Renminbi would have a negative effect on the
U.S. dollar amount available to us.
Fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly among the
U.S. dollar, Renminbi and Euro, also affect our gross and
net profit margins and could result in fluctuations in foreign
exchange and operating gains and losses. We incurred net foreign
currency losses of RMB1.8 million, RMB4.3 million and
RMB25.6 million (US$3.5 million) in 2005, 2006 and
2007, respectively. We cannot predict the impact of future
exchange rate fluctuations on our financial condition and
results of operations, and we may incur net foreign currency
losses in the future.
Very limited hedging transactions are available in the PRC to
reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations. To date, we
have not entered into any hedging transactions in an effort to
reduce our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk. While we
may enter into hedging transactions in the future, the
availability and effectiveness of these transactions may be
limited and we may not be able to successfully hedge our
exposure at all. In addition, our foreign currency exchange
losses may be magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that
restrict our ability to convert Renminbi into foreign currencies.
Two of
our existing shareholders have substantial influence over our
company and their interests may not be aligned with the
interests of our other shareholders.
As of June 2, 2008, Mr. Yonghua Lu, chairman of our
board of directors, and Good Energies II LP owned 15.95%
and 36.39%, respectively, of our outstanding share capital. In
December 2007, Mr. Yonghua Lu transferred 38,634,750
ordinary shares beneficially owned by him to Good
Energies II LP acting by its general partner Good
18
Energies General Partner Jersey Limited. Mr. Lu and Good
Energies II LP have substantial influence over our
business, including decisions regarding mergers, consolidations
and the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, election
of directors and other significant corporate actions. This
concentration of ownership may discourage, delay or prevent a
change in control of our company, which could deprive our
shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their
shares as part of a sale of our company and might reduce the
price of our ADSs. These actions may be taken even if they are
opposed by our other shareholders.
If we
grant employee share options and other share-based compensation
in the future, our net income could be adversely
affected.
We adopted a share option plan for our employees in November
2006, pursuant to which we may issue options to purchase up to
10,799,685 ordinary shares. As of December 31, 2007,
options to purchase 8,105,500 ordinary shares had been granted
under this plan. In August 2007, we adopted our 2007 equity
incentive plan. The 2007 equity incentive plan permits the grant
of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options,
restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock
units, performance units, performance shares, and other equity
based awards to employees, directors and consultants of our
company. Under the 2007 equity incentive plan, we may issue up
to 10,799,685 ordinary shares plus an annual increase of 2% of
the outstanding ordinary shares on the first day of the fiscal
year, or such lesser amount of shares as determined by the board
of directors. As a result of these option grants and potential
future grants under these plans, we expect to incur significant
share compensation expenses in future periods. The amount of
these expenses will be based on the fair value of the
share-based awards. Fair value is determined based on an
independent third party valuation. We have adopted Statement of
Financial Accounting Standard No. 123(R) (revised
2004) for the accounting treatment of our share incentive
plan. As a result, we will have to account for compensation
costs for all share options, including share options granted to
our directors and employees, using a fair-value based method and
recognize expenses in our consolidated statement of income in
accordance with the relevant rules under U.S. GAAP, which
may have a material adverse effect on our net profit. Moreover,
the additional expenses associated with share-based compensation
may reduce the attractiveness of such incentive plan to us.
However, our share incentive plan and other similar types of
incentive plans are important in order to attract and retain key
personnel. We cannot assure you that employee share options or
other share-based compensation we may grant in the future, would
not have a material adverse effect on our profitability.
Risks
Related to Doing Business in China
Adverse
changes in political and economic policies of the PRC government
could have a material adverse effect on the overall economic
growth of China, which could reduce the demand for our products
and materially and adversely affect our competitive
position.
Substantially all of our operations are conducted in China and
some of our sales are made in China. Accordingly, our business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects are
affected significantly by economic, political and legal
developments in China. The PRC economy differs from the
economies of most developed countries in many respects,
including:
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the amount of government involvement;
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the level of development;
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the growth rate;
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the control of foreign exchange; and
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the allocation of resources.
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While the PRC economy has grown significantly over the past
25 years, the growth has been uneven, both geographically
and among various sectors of the economy. The PRC government has
implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and
guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures
benefit the overall PRC economy, but may also have a negative
effect on us. For example, our financial condition and results
of operations may be adversely affected by government control
over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are
applicable to us.
19
The PRC economy has been transitioning from a planned economy to
a more market-oriented economy. Although the PRC government has
in recent years implemented measures emphasizing the utilization
of market forces for economic reform, the reduction of state
ownership of productive assets and the establishment of sound
corporate governance in business enterprises, a substantial
portion of the productive assets in China is still owned by the
PRC government. The continued control of these assets and other
aspects of the national economy by the PRC government could
materially and adversely affect our business. The PRC government
also exercises significant control over economic growth in China
through the allocation of resources, controlling payment of
foreign currency-denominated obligations, setting monetary
policy and providing preferential treatment to particular
industries or companies. Efforts by the PRC government to slow
the pace of growth of the PRC economy could result in decreased
capital expenditure by solar energy users, which in turn could
reduce demand for our products.
Any adverse change in the economic conditions or government
policies in China could have a material adverse effect on the
overall economic growth and the level of renewable energy
investments and expenditures in China, which in turn could lead
to a reduction in demand for our products and consequently have
a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. In
particular, the PRC government has, in recent years, promulgated
certain laws and regulations and initiated certain
government-sponsored programs to encourage the utilization of
new forms of energy, including solar energy. We cannot assure
you that the implementation of these laws, regulations and
government programs will be beneficial to us. In particular, any
adverse change in the PRC governments policies towards the
PV industry may have a material adverse effect on our operations
as well as on our plans to expand our business into downstream
system integration services.
Uncertainties
with respect to the PRC legal system could have a material
adverse effect on us.
We conduct substantially all of our business through our
operating subsidiary in the PRC, Linyang China, a Chinese wholly
foreign-owned enterprise. Linyang China is generally subject to
laws and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China
and, in particular, laws applicable to wholly foreign-owned
enterprises. The PRC legal system is based on written statutes,
and prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have
limited precedential value. Since 1979, PRC legislation and
regulations have significantly enhanced the protections afforded
to various forms of foreign investments in China. However, since
these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal
system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many
laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and
enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve
uncertainties, which may limit legal protections available to
us. In addition, any litigation in China may be protracted and
result in substantial costs and diversion of resources and
management attention.
We
rely principally on dividends and other distributions on equity
paid by our operating subsidiary to fund cash and financing
requirements, and limitations on the ability of our operating
subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions to us could
have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct our
business and our ability to make payments due under the
notes.
We are a holding company and conduct substantially all of our
business through our operating subsidiary, Linyang China, which
is a limited liability company established in China. We rely on
dividends paid by Linyang China for our cash needs, including
the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash
distributions to our shareholders, to service any debt we may
incur and to pay our operating expenses. The payment of
dividends by entities organized in China is subject to
limitations. In particular, regulations in the PRC currently
permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits as
determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and
regulations. Linyang China is also required to set aside at
least 10% of its after-tax profit based on PRC accounting
standards each year to its general reserves until the
accumulative amount of such reserves reaches 50% of its
registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash
dividends. In addition, Linyang China is required to allocate a
portion of its after-tax profit to its staff welfare and bonus
fund at the discretion of its board of directors. Moreover, if
Linyang China incurs debt on its own behalf in the future, the
instruments governing the debt may restrict its ability to pay
dividends or make other distributions to us.
20
Restrictions
on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use
our revenue effectively.
A portion of our revenue and a substantial portion of our
expenses are denominated in Renminbi. The Renminbi is currently
convertible under the current account, which
includes dividends, trade and service-related foreign exchange
transactions, but not under the capital account,
which includes foreign direct investment and loans. Currently,
Linyang China may purchase foreign currencies for settlement of
current account transactions, including payments of dividends to
us, without the approval of the State Administration of Foreign
Exchange, or SAFE. However, the relevant PRC government
authorities may limit or eliminate our ability to purchase
foreign currencies in the future. Since a significant amount of
our future revenue will be denominated in Renminbi, any existing
and future restrictions on currency exchange may limit our
ability to utilize revenue generated in Renminbi to fund our
business activities outside China that are denominated in
foreign currencies.
Foreign exchange transactions by Linyang China under the capital
account continue to be subject to significant foreign exchange
controls and require the approval of or need to register with
PRC governmental authorities, including SAFE. In particular, if
Linyang China borrows foreign currency loans from us or other
foreign lenders, these loans must be registered with SAFE, and
if we finance Linyang China by means of additional capital
contributions, these capital contributions must be approved by
certain government authorities, including the National
Development and Reform Commission, or the NDRC, the Ministry of
Commerce or their respective local counterparts. These
limitations could affect the ability of Linyang China to obtain
foreign exchange through debt or equity financing.
Recent
PRC regulations relating to the establishment of offshore
special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC
resident shareholders to personal liability and limit our
ability to acquire PRC companies or to inject capital into our
PRC subsidiary, limit our PRC subsidiarys ability to
distribute profits to us, or otherwise materially and adversely
affect us.
SAFE issued a public notice in October 2005, or the SAFE notice,
requiring PRC residents, including both legal persons and
natural persons, to register with the competent local SAFE
branch before establishing or controlling any company outside of
China, referred to as an offshore special purpose
company, for the purpose of acquiring any assets of or
equity interest in PRC companies and raising fund from overseas.
In addition, any PRC resident that is the shareholder of an
offshore special purpose company is required to amend its SAFE
registration with the local SAFE branch, with respect to that
offshore special purpose company in connection with any increase
or decrease of capital, transfer of shares, merger, division,
equity investment or creation of any security interest over any
assets located in China. If any PRC shareholder of any offshore
special purpose company fails to make the required SAFE
registration and amendment, the PRC subsidiaries of that
offshore special purpose company may be prohibited from
distributing their profits and the proceeds from any reduction
in capital, share transfer or liquidation to the offshore
special purpose company. Moreover, failure to comply with the
SAFE registration and amendment requirements described above
could result in liability under PRC laws for evasion of
applicable foreign exchange restrictions. Our current beneficial
owners who are PRC residents have registered with the local SAFE
branch as required under the SAFE notice. The failure of these
beneficial owners to amend their SAFE registrations in a timely
manner pursuant to the SAFE notice or the failure of future
beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents to comply
with the registration procedures set forth in the SAFE notice
may subject such beneficial owners to fines and legal sanctions
and may also result in a restriction on our PRC
subsidiarys ability to distribute profits to us or
otherwise materially and adversely affect our business. In
addition, the NDRC promulgated a rule in October 2004, or the
NDRC Rule, which requires NDRC approvals for overseas investment
projects made by PRC entities. The NDRC Rule also provides that
approval procedures for overseas investment projects of PRC
individuals shall be implemented with reference to this rule.
However, there exist extensive uncertainties in terms of
interpretation of the NDRC Rule with respect to its application
to a PRC individuals overseas investment, and in practice,
we are not aware of any precedents that a PRC individuals
overseas investment has been approved by the NDRC or challenged
by the NDRC based on the absence of NDRC approval. Our current
beneficial owners who are PRC individuals did not apply for NDRC
approval for investment in us. We cannot predict how and to what
extent this will affect our business operations or future
strategy. For example, the failure of our shareholders who are
PRC individuals to comply with the NDRC Rule may subject these
persons or our PRC subsidiary to certain liabilities under PRC
laws, which could adversely affect our business.
21
We
face risks related to health epidemics and other
outbreaks.
Adverse public health epidemics or pandemics could disrupt
business and the economics of the PRC and other countries where
we do business. From December 2002 to June 2003, China and other
countries experienced an outbreak of a highly contagious form of
atypical pneumonia now known as severe acute respiratory
syndrome, or SARS. On July 5, 2003, the World Health
Organization declared that the SARS outbreak had been contained.
However, a number of isolated new cases of SARS were
subsequently reported, most recently in central China in April
2004. During May and June of 2003, many businesses in China were
closed by the PRC government to prevent transmission of SARS.
Moreover, some Asian countries, including China, have recently
encountered incidents of the H5N1 strain of bird flu, or avian
flu. We are unable to predict the effect, if any, that avian flu
may have on our business. In particular, any future outbreak of
SARS, avian flu or other similar adverse public developments
may, among other things, significantly disrupt our business,
including limiting our ability to travel or ship our products
within or outside China and forcing us to temporary close our
manufacturing facilities. Furthermore, an outbreak may severely
restrict the level of economic activity in affected areas, which
may in turn materially and adversely affect our financial
condition and results of operations. We have not adopted any
written preventive measures or contingency plans to combat any
future outbreak of avian flu, SARS or any other epidemic.
22
USE OF
PROCEEDS
Unless we specify otherwise in any prospectus supplement, we
will use the net proceeds from the sale of securities offered by
us pursuant to this prospectus for capital expenditures,
repayment of indebtedness, working capital, to make acquisitions
and for general corporate purposes.
23
RATIO OF
EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed
charges on a historical basis for the period indicated. The
ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing
earnings by fixed charges. For this purpose, earnings consist of
pre-tax income from continuing operations before adjustment for
minority interests, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of
interest expenses, whether expenses or capitalized.
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Year Ended
December 31,
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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Ratios of earnings to fixed charges
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117.37
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12.77
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5.63
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24
CAPITALIZATION
A prospectus supplement will include information on our
consolidated capitalization.
25
DESCRIPTION
OF SHARE CAPITAL
We are a Cayman Islands exempted company with limited liability
and our affairs are governed by our memorandum and articles of
association, as amended and restated from time to time, and the
Companies Law (2007 Revision) of the Cayman Islands, which is
referred to as the Companies Law below.
As of June 30, 2008, our authorized share capital consisted
of 500,000,000 ordinary shares, with a par value of US$0.0001
each. As of June 30, 2008, there were 241,954,744 ordinary
shares issued and outstanding.
The following are summaries of material provisions of our
amended and restated memorandum and articles of association and
the Companies Law insofar as they relate to the material terms
of our ordinary shares.
Description
of Ordinary Shares
General
All of our outstanding ordinary shares are fully paid and
non-assessable. Certificates representing the ordinary shares
are issued in registered form. Our shareholders who are
non-residents of the Cayman Islands may freely hold and vote
their ordinary shares.
Dividends
The holders of our ordinary shares are entitled to such
dividends as may be declared by our board of directors subject
to the Companies Law. Under our amended and restated memorandum
and articles of association, all dividends unclaimed for one
year after having been declared may be invested or otherwise
made use of by our board of directors for our exclusive benefit
until claimed, and we will not be deemed a trustee in respect of
such dividend or be required to account for any money earned
thereon. All dividends unclaimed for six years after having been
declared may be forfeited by our board of directors and thereon
will revert to us.
Voting
Rights
The holder of each ordinary share is entitled to one vote for
each ordinary share held by such holder on all matters upon
which the ordinary shares are entitled to vote. Voting at any
meeting of shareholders is by show of hands unless a poll is
demanded. A poll may be demanded by the chairman of such meeting
or any other shareholder or shareholders present in person or by
proxy and holding at least 10% in par value of the shares giving
a right to attend and vote at the meeting.
A quorum required for a meeting of shareholders consists of at
least one shareholder present or by proxy or, if a corporation
or other non-natural person, by its duly authorized
representative holding not less than one-third of the
outstanding voting shares in our company. Shareholders
meetings may be convened by our board of directors on its own
initiative or upon a request to the directors by shareholders
holding in the aggregate 10% or more of our voting share
capital. Advance notice of at least 20 (but not more than
60) days is required for the convening of our annual
general shareholders meeting and any other general
shareholders meeting calling for the passing of a
resolution requiring two-thirds of shareholder votes, and
advance notice of at least 14 (but not more than 60) days
is required for the convening of other general shareholder
meetings.
An ordinary resolution to be passed by the shareholders requires
the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the votes attaching
to the ordinary shares cast in a general meeting, while a
special resolution requires the affirmative vote of no less than
two-thirds of the votes cast attaching to the ordinary shares. A
special resolution will be required for important matters such
as a change of name or making changes to our amended and
restated memorandum and articles of association.
Transfer
of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the restrictions of our amended and restated
memorandum and articles of association, as applicable, any of
our shareholders may transfer all or any of his or her ordinary
shares by an instrument of transfer in the usual or common form
or any other form approved by our board of directors.
26
Our board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, decline
to register any transfer of any ordinary share which is not
fully paid up or on which we have a lien. Our board of directors
may also decline to register any transfer of any ordinary share
unless:
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the instrument of transfer is lodged with us, accompanied by the
certificate for the ordinary shares to which it relates and such
other evidence as our board of directors may reasonably require
to show the right of the transferor to make the transfer;
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the instrument of transfer is in respect of only one class of
ordinary shares;
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the instrument of transfer is properly stamped, if required;
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in the case of a transfer to joint holders, the number of joint
holders to whom the ordinary share is to be transferred does not
exceed four;
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the ordinary shares transferred are free of any lien in favor of
us;
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any fee related to the transfer has been paid to us; and
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the transfer to be registered is not to an infant or a person
suffering from mental disorder.
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If our directors refuse to register a transfer they shall,
within two months after the date on which the instrument of
transfer was lodged, send to each of the transferor and the
transferee notice of such refusal.
The registration of transfers may be suspended and the register
closed at such times and for such periods as our board of
directors may from time to time determine, provided, however,
that the registration of transfers shall not be suspended nor
the register closed for more than 45 days in any year.
Liquidation
On a return of capital on winding up or otherwise (other than on
conversion, redemption or purchase of ordinary shares), assets
available for distribution among the holders of ordinary shares
shall be distributed among the holders of the ordinary shares on
a
pro rata
basis. If our assets available for
distribution are insufficient to repay all of the
paid-up
capital, the assets will be distributed so that the losses are
borne by our shareholders proportionately.
Calls
on Ordinary Shares and Forfeiture of Ordinary
Shares
Our board of directors may from time to time make calls upon
shareholders for any amounts unpaid on their ordinary shares in
a notice served to such shareholders at least 14 days prior
to the specified time of payment. The ordinary shares that have
been called upon and remain unpaid are subject to forfeiture.
Redemption
of Ordinary Shares
Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law and other
applicable law, we may issue shares on terms that are subject to
redemption, at our option or at the option of the holders, on
such terms and in such manner as may be determined by special
resolution.
Variations
of Rights of Shares
If at any time, our share capital is divided into different
classes of shares, all or any of the special rights attached to
any class of shares may, subject to the provisions of the
Companies Law, be varied either with the consent in writing of
the holders of three-fourths of the issued shares of that class
or by a special resolution passed at a general meeting of the
holders of the shares of that class. The rights conferred upon
the holders of the shares of any class issued with preferred or
other rights shall not, unless otherwise expressly provided by
the terms of issue of the shares of that class, be deemed to be
varied by the creation or issue of further shares ranking
pari passu
with such existing class of shares. The rights
of holders of ordinary shares shall not be deemed to be varied
by the creation or issue of shares with preferred or other
rights which may be affected by the directors as provided in the
articles of association without any vote or consent of the
holders of ordinary shares.
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General
Meetings of Shareholders
The directors may, and shall on the requisition of shareholders
holding at least 10% in par value of the capital of our company
carrying voting rights at general meetings, proceed to convene a
general meeting of such shareholders. If the directors do not
within 21 days from the deposit of the requisition duly
proceed to convene a general meeting, which will be held within
a further period of 21 days, the requisitioning
shareholders, or any of them holding more than 50% of the total
voting rights of all of the requisitioning shareholders, may
themselves convene a general meeting. Any such general meeting
must be convened within three months after the expiration of
such
21-day
period.
Inspection
of Books and Records
Holders of our ordinary shares will have no general right under
Cayman Islands law to inspect or obtain copies of our list of
shareholders or our corporate records. However, we will provide
our shareholders with annual audited financial statements. See
Where You Can Find Additional Information About Us.
Changes
in Capital
We may from time to time by ordinary resolution:
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increase the share capital by such sum, to be divided into
shares of such classes and amounts, as the resolution shall
prescribe;
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consolidate and divide all or any of our share capital into
shares of a larger amount than our existing shares;
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convert all or any of our paid up shares into stock and
reconvert that stock into paid up shares of any denomination;
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sub-divide our existing shares, or any of them into shares of a
smaller amount provided that in the subdivision the proportion
between the amount paid and the amount, if any, unpaid on each
reduced share shall be the same as it was in case of the share
from which the reduced share is derived; or
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cancel any shares which, at the date of the passing of the
resolution, have not been taken or agreed to be taken by any
person and diminish the amount of our share capital by the
amount of the shares so cancelled.
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We may by special resolution reduce our share capital and any
capital redemption reserve in any manner authorized by law.
Exempted
Company
We are an exempted company with limited liability under the
Companies Law. The Companies Law distinguishes between ordinary
resident companies and exempted companies. Any company that is
registered in the Cayman Islands but conducts business mainly
outside of the Cayman Islands may apply to be registered as an
exempted company. The requirements for an exempted company are
essentially the same as for an ordinary company except for the
exemptions and privileges listed below:
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an exempted company does not have to file an annual return of
its shareholders with the Registrar of Companies;
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an exempted companys register of members is not open to
inspection;
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an exempted company does not have to hold an annual general
meeting;
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an exempted company may issue no par value, negotiable or bearer
shares;
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an exempted company may obtain an undertaking against the
imposition of any future taxation (such undertakings are usually
given for 20 years in the first instance);
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an exempted company may register by way of continuation in
another jurisdiction and be deregistered in the Cayman Islands;
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an exempted company may register as a limited duration company;
and
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an exempted company may register as a segregated portfolio
company.
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Limited liability means that the liability of each
shareholder is limited to the amount unpaid by the shareholder
on the shares of the company. We are subject to reporting and
other informational requirements of the Exchange Act, as
applicable to foreign private issuers. We intend to comply with
the Nasdaq Rules in lieu of following home country practice. The
Nasdaq Rules require that every company listed on the Nasdaq
hold an annual general meeting of shareholders. In addition, our
amended and restated articles of association allow directors or
shareholders to call special shareholder meetings pursuant to
the procedures set forth in the articles.
Differences
in Corporate Law
The Companies Law is modeled after that of English law but does
not follow many recent English law statutory enactments. In
addition, the Companies Law differs from laws applicable to
United States corporations and their shareholders. Set forth
below is a summary of the significant differences between the
provisions of the Companies Law applicable to us and the laws
applicable to companies incorporated in the State of Delaware
and their shareholders.
Mergers
and Similar Arrangements
Cayman Islands law does not provide for mergers as that
expression is understood under the Delaware General Corporation
law. However, there are statutory provisions that facilitate the
reconstruction and amalgamation of companies, provided that the
arrangement is approved by a majority in number of each class of
shareholders and creditors with whom the arrangement is to be
made, and who must in addition represent three-fourths in value
of each such class of shareholders or creditors, as the case may
be, that are present and voting either in person or by proxy at
a meeting, or meetings, convened for that purpose. The convening
of the meetings and subsequently the arrangement must be
sanctioned by the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands. While a
dissenting shareholder has the right to express to the court the
view that the transaction ought not to be approved, the court
can be expected to approve the arrangement if it determines that:
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the statutory provisions as to the due majority vote have been
met;
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the shareholders have been fairly represented at the meeting in
question;
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the arrangement is such that a businessman would reasonably
approve; and
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the arrangement is not one that would more properly be
sanctioned under some other provision of the Companies Law.
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When a take over offer is made and accepted by holders of 90% of
the shares within four months, the offeror may, within a
two-month period, require the holders of the remaining shares to
transfer such shares on the terms of the offer. An objection can
be made to the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands but this is
unlikely to succeed unless there is evidence of fraud, bad faith
or collusion.
If the arrangement and reconstruction is thus approved, the
dissenting shareholder would have no rights comparable to
appraisal rights, which would otherwise ordinarily be available
to dissenting shareholders of Delaware corporations, providing
rights to receive payment in cash for the judicially determined
value of the shares.
Shareholders
Suits
We are not aware of any reported class action or derivative
action having been brought in a Cayman Islands court. In
principle, we will normally be the proper plaintiff and as a
general rule a derivative action may not be brought by a
minority shareholder. However, based on English authorities,
which would in all likelihood be of persuasive authority in the
Cayman Islands, there are exceptions to the foregoing principle,
including when:
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a company acts or proposes to act illegally or
ultra
vires;
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the act complained of, although not
ultra vires,
could
only be effected duly if authorized by more than a simple
majority vote that has not been obtained; and
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those who control the company are perpetrating a fraud on
the minority.
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Indemnification
of Directors and Executive Officers and Limitation of
Liability
Cayman Islands law does not limit the extent to which a
companys articles of association may provide for
indemnification of officers and directors, except to the extent
any such provision may be held by the Cayman Islands courts to
be contrary to public policy, such as to provide indemnification
against civil fraud or the consequences of committing a crime.
Our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
permit indemnification of officers and directors for losses,
damages, costs and expenses incurred in their capacities as such
unless such losses or damages arise from dishonesty, fraud or
default of such directors or officers. This standard of conduct
is generally the same as permitted under the Delaware General
Corporation Law for a Delaware corporation. In addition, we
intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our
directors and senior executive officers that will provide such
persons with additional indemnification beyond that provided in
our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to our directors, officers or
persons controlling us under the foregoing provisions, we have
been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable as a matter of
United States law.
Anti-Takeover
Provisions in the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles
of Association
Some provisions of our amended and restated memorandum and
articles of association may discourage, delay or prevent a
change in control of our company or management that shareholders
may consider favorable, including provisions that authorize our
board of directors to issue preference shares in one or more
series and to designate the price, rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions of such preference shares without
any further vote or action by our shareholders.
However, under Cayman Islands law, our directors may only
exercise the rights and powers granted to them under our amended
and restated memorandum and articles of association, as amended
and restated from time to time, for what they believe in good
faith to be in the best interests of our company.
Directors
Fiduciary Duties
Under Delaware corporate law, a director of a Delaware
corporation has a fiduciary duty to the corporation and its
shareholders. This duty has two components: the duty of care and
the duty of loyalty. The duty of care requires that a director
act in good faith, with the care that an ordinarily prudent
person would exercise under similar circumstances. Under this
duty, a director must inform himself of, and disclose to
shareholders, all material information reasonably available
regarding a significant transaction. The duty of loyalty
requires that a director act in a manner he or she reasonably
believes to be in the best interests of the corporation. He or
she must not use his or her corporate position for personal gain
or advantage. This duty prohibits self-dealing by a director and
mandates that the best interest of the corporation and its
shareholders take precedence over any interest possessed by a
director, officer or controlling shareholder and not shared by
the shareholders generally. In general, actions of a director
are presumed to have been made on an informed basis, in good
faith and in the honest belief that the action taken was in the
best interests of the corporation. However, this presumption may
be rebutted by evidence of a breach of one of the fiduciary
duties. Should such evidence be presented concerning a
transaction by a director, a director must prove the procedural
fairness of the transaction, and that the transaction was of
fair value to the corporation.
As a matter of Cayman Islands law, a director of a Cayman
Islands company is in the position of a fiduciary with respect
to the company and therefore it is considered that he owes the
following duties to the company a duty to act
bona fide
in the best interests of the company, a duty
not to make a profit based on his or her position as director
(unless the company permits him to do so) and a duty not to put
himself in a position where the interests of
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the company conflict with his or her personal interest or his or
her duty to a third party. A director of a Cayman Islands
company owes to the company a duty to act with skill and care.
It was previously considered that a director need not exhibit in
the performance of his or her duties a greater degree of skill
than may reasonably be expected from a person of his or her
knowledge and experience. However, English and Commonwealth
courts have moved towards an objective standard with regard to
the required skill and care and these authorities are likely to
be followed in the Cayman Islands.
Shareholder
Action by Written Consent
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may
eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent by
amendment to its certificate of incorporation. Cayman Islands
law and our amended and restated articles of association provide
that shareholders may approve corporate matters by way of a
unanimous written resolution signed by or on behalf of each
shareholder who would have been entitled to vote on such matter
at a general meeting without a meeting being held.
Shareholder
Proposals
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a shareholder has
the right to put any proposal before the annual meeting of
shareholders, provided it complies with the notice provisions in
the governing documents. A special meeting may be called by the
board of directors or any other person authorized to do so in
the governing documents, but shareholders may be precluded from
calling special meetings.
Cayman Islands law and our amended and restated articles of
association allow our shareholders holding not less than 10% of
the
paid-up
voting share capital of the company to requisition a
shareholders meeting. As an exempted Cayman Islands
company, we are not obliged by law to call shareholders
annual general meetings. However, our amended and restated
articles of association require us to call such meetings if
required by the Companies Law, other applicable law, rules or
regulations or the Nasdaq Rules.
Cumulative
Voting
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, cumulative voting
for elections of directors is not permitted unless the
corporations certificate of incorporation specifically
provides for it. Cumulative voting potentially facilitates the
representation of minority shareholders on a board of directors
since it permits the minority shareholder to cast all the votes
to which the shareholder is entitled on a single director, which
increases the shareholders voting power with respect to
electing such director. As permitted under Cayman Islands law,
our amended and restated articles of association do not provide
for cumulative voting. As a result, our shareholders are not
afforded any less protections or rights on this issue than
shareholders of a Delaware corporation.
Removal
of Directors
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a director of a
corporation with a classified board may be removed only for
cause with the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote, unless the certificate of incorporation
provides otherwise. Under our amended and restated articles of
association, directors may be removed by ordinary resolution or
the unanimous written consent of all the shareholders.
Transactions
with Interested Shareholders
The Delaware General Corporation Law contains a business
combination statute applicable to Delaware corporations whereby,
unless the corporation has specifically elected not to be
governed by such statute by amendment to its certificate of
incorporation, it is prohibited from engaging in certain
business combinations with an interested shareholder
for three years following the date that such person becomes an
interested shareholder. An interested shareholder generally is a
person or a group who or which owns or owned 15% or more of the
targets outstanding voting stock within the past three
years. This has the effect of limiting the ability of a
potential acquirer to make a two-tiered bid for the target in
which all shareholders would not be treated equally. The statute
does not apply if, among other things, prior to the date on
which such shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, the
board of directors approves either the business combination or
the transaction which resulted in the person
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becoming an interested shareholder. This encourages any
potential acquirer of a Delaware corporation to negotiate the
terms of any acquisition transaction with the targets
board of directors.
Cayman Islands law has no comparable statute. As a result, we
cannot avail ourselves of the types of protections afforded by
the Delaware business combination statute. However, although
Cayman Islands law does not regulate transactions between a
company and its significant shareholders, it does provide that
such transactions must be entered into
bona fide
in the
best interests of the company and not with the effect of
constituting a fraud on the minority shareholders.
Dissolution;
Winding Up
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, unless the board of
directors approves the proposal to dissolve, dissolution must be
approved by shareholders holding 100% of the total voting power
of the corporation. Only if the dissolution is initiated by the
board of directors may it be approved by a simple majority of
the corporations outstanding shares. Delaware law allows a
Delaware corporation to include in its certificate of
incorporation a supermajority voting requirement in connection
with dissolutions initiated by the board. Under the Companies
Law of the Cayman Islands and our amended and restated articles
of association, our company may be dissolved, liquidated or
wound up by the vote of holders of two-thirds of our shares
voting at a meeting or the unanimous written resolution of all
shareholders.
Variation
of Rights of Shares
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporation may
vary the rights of a class of shares with the approval of a
majority of the outstanding shares of such class, unless the
certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Under Cayman
Islands law and our amended and restated articles of
association, if our share capital is divided into more than one
class of shares, we may vary the rights attached to any class
only with the consent in writing of the holders of 75% of the
issued shares of that class or with the sanction of a special
resolution passed at a general meeting of the holders of the
shares of that class.
Amendment
of Governing Documents
Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, a corporations
governing documents may be amended with the approval of a
majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, unless the
certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. As permitted by
Cayman Islands law, our amended and restated memorandum and
articles of association may only be amended by special
resolution or the unanimous written resolution of all
shareholders.
Rights
of Non-Resident or Foreign Shareholders
There are no limitations imposed by our amended and restated
memorandum and articles of association on the rights of
non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting
rights on our shares. In addition, there are no provisions in
our amended and restated memorandum and articles of association
governing the ownership threshold above which shareholder
ownership must be disclosed.
Directors
Power to Issue Shares
Subject to applicable law, our board of directors is empowered
to issue or allot shares or grant options and warrants with or
without preferred, deferred, qualified or other special rights
or restrictions. However, if any issue of shares (including any
issue of ordinary shares or any shares with preferred, deferred,
qualified or other special rights or restrictions) is proposed
and such shares proposed to be issued are at least 20% by par
value of the par value of all then issued shares, then the prior
approval by ordinary resolution of the holders of the ordinary
shares, voting together as one class, will be required. These
provisions could have the effect of discouraging third parties
from seeking to obtain control of our company in a tender offer
or similar transaction.
Ordinary
Shares
In June 2006, as part of our corporate restructuring, we issued
a total of 100,350,000 ordinary shares. These ordinary shares
were issued to Yonghua Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd., WHF
Investment Co., Ltd.,
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YongGuan Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd., Yongfa Solar Power
Investment Holding Ltd., Yongliang Solar Power Investment
Holding Ltd., Yongqiang Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd.,
YongXing Solar Power Investment Holding Ltd. and
Forever-brightness Investments Limited.
In June and August 2006, we issued in a private placement an
aggregate of 79,644,754 series A convertible preference
shares to Citigroup Venture Capital International Growth
Partnership, L.P., Citigroup Venture Capital International
Co-Investment, L.P., Hony Capital II L.P., LC Fund III
L.P., Good Energies Investments (Jersey) Limited and two
individual investors at an average purchase price of
approximately US$0.67 per share for aggregate proceeds, before
deduction of transaction expenses, of US$53 million. All of
these 79,644,754 series A convertible preference shares
were converted to ordinary shares of our company upon the
completion of our initial public offering.
We completed our initial public offering of 60,000,000 ordinary
shares, in the form of ADSs, at US$12.50 per ADS on
December 26, 2006, after our ordinary shares and American
Depositary Receipts were registered under the Securities Act.
On January 29, 2008, we closed an offering of
US$172.5 million 3.50% convertible senior notes due 2018 to
qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under
the Securities Act and received net proceeds of
US$167.9 million. Holders may convert the notes into our
ADSs. Concurrently with this note offering, we closed an
offering of 9,019,611 ADSs, representing 45,098,055 ordinary
shares, to facilitate the note offering. We did not receive any
proceeds, other than the par value of the ADSs, from such
offering of ADSs.
Registration
Rights
Pursuant to the registration rights agreement dated
June 27, 2006, we granted to the holders of our ordinary
shares which were converted from our series A convertible
preference shares certain registration rights, which primarily
include:
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Demand Registrations.
Upon request of any of
the non-individual holders of our ordinary shares which were
converted from our series A convertible preference shares,
we shall effect registration with respect to the registrable
securities held by such holders on a form other than
Form F-3
(or any comparable form for a registration for an offering in a
jurisdiction other than the United States), provided we shall
only be obligated to effect three such registrations.
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Piggyback Registrations.
The holders of our
ordinary shares which were converted from our series A
convertible preference shares and their permitted transferees
are entitled to piggyback registration rights,
whereby they may require us to register all or any part of the
registrable securities that they hold at the time when we
register any of our ordinary shares. All of such holders have
waived their piggyback registration rights in this offering.
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Registrations on
Form F-3.
We
have granted the holders of our ordinary shares which were
converted from our series A convertible preference shares
and their permitted transferees of the registrable securities
the right to an unlimited number of registrations under
Form F-3
(or any comparable form for a registration in a jurisdiction
other than the United States) to the extent we are eligible to
use such form to offer securities.
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Post-Initial
Public Offering
Lock-Up
Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, each of the
shareholders other than the holders of series A convertible
preference shares has agreed, for a period of 12 months
after completion of our initial public offering, not to sell,
exchange, assign, pledge, charge, grant a security interest,
make a hypothecation, gift or other encumbrance, or enter into
any contract or any voting trust or other agreement or
arrangement with respect to the transfer of voting rights or any
other legal or beneficial interest in any ordinary shares,
create any other claim or make any other transfer or
disposition, whether voluntary or involuntary, affecting the
right, title, interest or possession in, to or of such ordinary
shares, unless otherwise approved by the non-individual holders
of series A convertible preference shares in writing. This
lock-up
period expired on December 20, 2007. In addition, pursuant
to the
lock-up
agreement dated June 20, 2006, Mr. Yonghua Lu, our
chairman and chief executive officer, and Mr. Hanfei Wang,
our chief operating officer, have agreed with us not to sell,
transfer or dispose of any ADSs,
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ordinary shares or similar securities for a
lock-up
period of three years after completion of this our initial
public offering. Any amendment to the
lock-up
agreement requires unanimous written consent of all the
individuals who were parties to the
lock-up
agreement. In 2007, the
lock-up
periods of Mr. Yonghua Lu and Mr. Hanfei Wang were
reduced to one year and two years, respectively, under the first
amendment to the
lock-up
agreement. As a result, Mr. Lu is no longer subject to any
lock-up
restrictions pursuant to the agreement dated June 20, 2006.
However, pursuant to the second shareholders agreement entered
into in connection with the share purchase by Good Energies on
December 4, 2007, Yonghua Solar Power Investment Holding
Ltd. may not, subject to certain limited exceptions, transfer
any of our shares beneficially owned by it during the one-year
period immediately following the date of such agreement, or
transfer more than 50% of the number of our shares it held on
December 27, 2007 during the second one-year period
following the date of such agreement. On December 4, 2007,
all the individuals who were parties to the
lock-up
agreement further agreed that the
lock-up
agreement should not apply to any share transfer made by a
shareholder to Good Energies Investments (Jersey) Limited or its
affiliates.
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DESCRIPTION
OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
American
Depositary Shares
The Bank of New York, as depositary, will register and deliver
ADSs. Each ADS represents five ordinary shares (or a right to
receive five ordinary shares) deposited with the Hong Kong
office of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp., as custodian
for the depositary. Each ADS also represents any other
securities, cash or other property which may be held by the
depositary. The depositarys corporate trust office at
which the ADSs are administered is located at 101 Barclay
Street, New York, New York 10286. The Bank of
New Yorks principal executive office is located at
One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286.
You may hold ADSs either (A) directly (i) by having an
American depositary receipt, which is a certificate evidencing a
specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or
(ii) by holding ADSs in the Direct Registration System, or
(B) indirectly through your broker or other financial
institution. If you hold ADSs directly, you are an ADS holder.
This description assumes you hold your ADSs directly. If you
hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of
your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights
of ADR holders described in this section. You should consult
with your broker or financial institution to find out what those
procedures are.
The Direct Registration System is a system administered by DTC
pursuant to which the depositary may register the ownership of
uncertificated American depositary shares, which ownership shall
be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to
the ADS holders entitled thereto.
As an ADS holder, we will not treat you as one of our
shareholders and you will not have shareholder rights. Cayman
Islands law governs shareholder rights. The depositary will be
the holder of the shares underlying your ADSs. As a holder of
ADSs, you will have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement among
us, the depositary and you, as an ADS holder, and the beneficial
owners of ADSs set out ADS holder rights as well as the rights
and obligations of the depositary. New York law governs the
deposit agreement and the ADSs.
The following is a summary of the material provisions of the
deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should
read the entire deposit agreement and the form of American
depositary receipt. Directions on how to obtain copies of those
documents are provided under Where You Can Find Additional
Information.
Dividends
and Other Distributions
How
Will You Receive Dividends and Other Distributions on the
Shares?
The depositary has agreed to pay to you the cash dividends or
other distributions it or the custodian receives on shares or
other deposited securities, after deducting its fees and
expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to
the number of shares your ADSs represent.
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Cash.
The depositary will convert any
cash dividend or other cash distribution we pay on the shares
into U.S. dollars, if it can do so on a reasonable basis
and can transfer the U.S. dollars to the United States. If
that is not possible or if any government approval is needed and
cannot be obtained, the deposit agreement allows the depositary
to distribute the foreign currency only to those ADR holders to
whom it is possible to do so. It will hold the foreign currency
it cannot convert for the account of the ADS holders who have
not been paid. It will not invest the foreign currency and it
will not be liable for any interest.
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Before making a distribution, any withholding taxes, or other
governmental charges that must be paid will be deducted. See
Taxation. The depositary will distribute only whole
U.S. dollars and cents and will round fractional cents to
the nearest whole cent.
If exchange rates fluctuate during a
time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency,
you may lose some or all of the value of the distribution.
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Shares.
The depositary may distribute
additional ADSs representing any shares we distribute as a
dividend or free distribution. The depositary will only
distribute whole ADSs. It will sell shares which would require
it to deliver a fractional ADS and distribute the net proceeds
in the same way as it does with cash. If the depositary does not
distribute additional ADSs, the outstanding ADSs will also
represent the new shares.
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Rights to Purchase Additional
Shares.
If we offer holders of our securities
any rights to subscribe for additional shares or any other
rights, the depositary may make these rights available to you.
If the depositary decides it is not legal and practical to make
the rights available but that it is practical to sell the
rights, the depositary will use reasonable efforts to sell the
rights and distribute the proceeds in the same way as it does
with cash. The depositary will allow rights that are not
distributed or sold to lapse.
In that case, you will receive
no value for them.
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If the depositary makes rights available to you, it will
exercise the rights and purchase the shares on your behalf. The
depositary will then deposit the shares and deliver ADSs to you.
It will only exercise rights if you pay it the exercise price
and any other charges the rights require you to pay.
U.S. securities laws may restrict transfers and
cancellation of the ADSs represented by shares purchased upon
exercise of rights. For example, you may not be able to trade
these ADSs freely in the United States. In this case, the
depositary may deliver restricted depositary shares that have
the same terms as the ADRs described in this section except for
changes needed to put the necessary restrictions in place.
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Other Distributions.
The depositary
will send to you anything else we distribute on deposited
securities by any means it thinks is legal, fair and practical.
If it cannot make the distribution in that way, the depositary
has a choice. It may decide to sell what we distributed and
distribute the net proceeds, in the same way as it does with
cash. Or, it may decide to hold what we distributed, in which
case ADSs will also represent the newly distributed property.
However, the depositary is not required to distribute any
securities (other than ADSs) to you unless it receives
satisfactory evidence from us that it is legal to make that
distribution.
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The depositary is not responsible if it decides that it is
unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any
ADS holders. We have no obligation to register ADSs, shares,
rights or other securities under the Securities Act. We also
have no obligation to take any other action to permit the
distribution of ADSs, shares, rights or anything else to ADS
holders.
This means that
you
may not receive the
distributions we make on our shares or any value for them if it
is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to
you.
Deposit,
Withdrawal and Cancellation
How
Are ADSs Issued?
The depositary will deliver ADSs if you or your broker deposits
shares or evidence of rights to receive shares with the
custodian. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any
taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or
fees, the depositary will register the appropriate number of
ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or
upon the order of the person or persons entitled thereto.
How Do
ADS Holders Cancel an American Depositary Share?
You may turn in your ADSs at the depositarys corporate
trust office. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any
taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or
fees, the depositary will deliver the shares and any other
deposited securities underlying the ADSs to you or a person you
designate at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request,
risk and expense, the depositary will deliver the deposited
securities at its corporate trust office, if feasible.
How Do
ADS Holders Interchange Between Certificated ADSs and
Uncertificated ADSs?
You may surrender your ADR to the depositary for the purpose of
exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will
cancel that ADR and will send you a statement confirming that
you are the owner of uncertificated ADSs. Alternatively, upon
receipt by the depositary of a proper instruction from a holder
of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated
ADSs for certificated ADSs, the depositary will execute and
deliver to you an ADR evidencing those ADSs.
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Voting
Rights
How Do
You Vote?
You may instruct the depositary to vote the deposited
securities, but only if we ask the depositary to ask for your
instructions.
Otherwise, you wont be able to exercise
your right to vote unless you withdraw the shares. However, you
may not know about the meeting enough in advance to withdraw the
shares.
If we ask for your instructions, the depositary will notify you
of the upcoming vote and arrange to deliver our voting materials
to you. The materials will (1) describe the matters to be
voted on and (2) explain how you may instruct the
depositary to vote the shares or other deposited securities
underlying your ADSs as you direct. For instructions to be
valid, the depositary must receive them on or before the date
specified. The depositary will try, as far as practical, subject
to the laws of the Cayman Islands and of the Memorandum and
Articles of Association, to vote or to have its agents vote the
shares or other deposited securities as you instruct. The
depositary will only vote or attempt to vote as you instruct.
We cannot assure you that you will receive the voting materials
in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote
your shares. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not
responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for
the manner of carrying out voting instructions.
This means
that you may not be able to exercise your right to vote and
there may be nothing you can do if your shares are not voted as
you requested.
In order to give you a reasonable opportunity to instruct the
depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to
deposited securities, if we request the depositary to act, we
will try to give the depositary notice of any such meeting and
details concerning the matters to be voted upon sufficiently in
advance of the meeting date.
Fees and
Expenses
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Persons
Depositing or Withdrawing Shares Must Pay:
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For:
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US$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or
portion of 100 ADSs)
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Issuance of ADSs, including issuances
resulting from a distribution of shares or rights or other
property
Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of
withdrawal, including if the deposit agreement terminates
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US$0.02 (or less) per ADS
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Any cash distribution to you
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A fee equivalent to the fee that would
be payable if securities distributed to you had been shares and
the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs
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Distribution of securities distributed
to holders of deposited securities which are distributed by the
depositary to ADS holders
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US$0.02 (or less) per ADS per calendar
year
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Depositary services
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Registration or transfer fees
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Transfer and registration of shares on
our shareregister to or from the name of the depositary or its
agent when you deposit or withdraw shares
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Expenses of the depositary
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Cable, telex and facsimile transmissions
(when expressly provided in the deposit agreement)
Converting foreign currency to U.S.
dollars
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Taxes and other governmental charges the
depositary or the custodian have to pay on any ADS or share
underlying an ADS, for example, stock transfer taxes, stamp duty
or withholding taxes
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As necessary
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Any charges incurred by the depositary
or its agents for servicing the deposited securities
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As necessary
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The Bank of New York, as depositary, has agreed to reimburse us
for expenses we incur that are related to establishment and
maintenance of the ADR program, including investor relations
expenses and Nasdaq application and listing fees. There are
limits on the amount of expenses for which the depositary will
reimburse us, but the amount of reimbursement available to us is
not related to the amount of fees the depositary collects from
investors.
The depositary collects its fees for issuance and cancellation
of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or
surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from
intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for
making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from
the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable
property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual
fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions
or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry
system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary
may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until
its fees for those services are paid.
Payment
of Taxes
You will be responsible for any taxes or other governmental
charges payable on your ADSs or on the deposited securities
represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to
register any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the
deposited securities represented by your ADSs until such taxes
or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or
sell deposited securities represented by your American
depositary shares to pay any taxes owed and you will remain
liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited
securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs
to reflect the sale and pay to you any proceeds, or send to you
any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.
Reclassifications,
Recapitalizations and Mergers
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If
we:
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Then:
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Change the nominal or par value of
our shares
Reclassify, split up or consolidate any
of the deposited securities
Distribute securities on the shares that
are not distributed to you
Recapitalize, reorganize, merge,
liquidate, sell all or substantially all of our assets, or take
any similar action
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The cash, shares or other securities received by the depositary will become deposited securities. Each ADS will automatically represent its equal share of the new deposited securities
The depositary may, and will if we ask it to, distribute some or all of the cash, shares or other securities it received. It may also deliver new ADSs or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADSs in exchange for new ADSs identifying the new deposited securities.
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Amendment
and Termination
How
May the Deposit Agreement Be Amended?
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement
and the ADSs without your consent for any reason. If an
amendment adds or increases fees or charges, except for taxes
and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for
registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery charges or similar
items, or prejudices a substantial right of ADS holders, it will
not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days
after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment.
At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are
considered, by continuing to hold your ADS, to agree to the
amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement
as amended.
How
May the Deposit Agreement Be Terminated?
The depositary will terminate the deposit agreement at our
direction by mailing a notice of termination to the ADS holders
then outstanding at least 60 days prior to the date fixed
in such notice for such termination. The
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depositary may also terminate the deposit agreement by mailing a
notice of termination to us and the ADS holders then outstanding
if at any time 30 days shall have expired after the
depositary shall have delivered to our company a written notice
of its election to resign and a successor depositary shall not
have been appointed and accepted its appointment.
After termination, the depositary and its agents will do the
following under the deposit agreement but nothing else: collect
distributions on the deposited securities, sell rights and other
property, and deliver shares and other deposited securities upon
cancellation of ADSs. Four months after termination, the
depositary may sell any remaining deposited securities by public
or private sale. After that, the depositary will hold the money
it received on the sale, as well as any other cash it is holding
under the deposit agreement for the
pro rata
benefit of
the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. It will
not invest the money and has no liability for interest. The
depositarys only obligations will be to account for the
money and other cash. After termination our only obligations
will be to indemnify the depositary and to pay fees and expenses
of the depositary that we agreed to pay.
Limitations
on Obligations and Liability
Limits
on Our Obligations and the Obligations of the Depositary; Limits
on Liability to Holders of ADSs
The deposit agreement expressly limits our obligations and the
obligations of the depositary. It also limits our liability and
the liability of the depositary. We and the depositary:
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are only obligated to take the actions specifically set forth in
the deposit agreement without negligence or bad faith;
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are not liable if either of us is prevented or delayed by law or
circumstances beyond our control from performing our obligations
under the deposit agreement;
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are not liable if either of us exercises discretion permitted
under the deposit agreement;
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have no obligation to become involved in a lawsuit or other
proceeding related to the ADSs or the deposit agreement on your
behalf or on behalf of any other party;
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may rely upon any documents we believe in good faith to be
genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party.
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In the deposit agreement, we and the depositary agree to
indemnify each other under certain circumstances.
Requirements
for Depositary Actions
Before the depositary will deliver or register a transfer of an
ADS, make a distribution on an ADS, or permit withdrawal of
shares, the depositary may require:
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payment of stock transfer or other taxes or other governmental
charges and transfer or registration fees charged by third
parties for the transfer of any shares or other deposited
securities;
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satisfactory proof of the identity and genuineness of any
signature or other information it deems necessary; and
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compliance with regulations it may establish, from time to time,
consistent with the deposit agreement, including presentation of
transfer documents.
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The depositary may refuse to deliver ADSs or register transfers
of ADSs generally when the transfer books of the depositary or
our transfer books are closed or at any time if the depositary
or we think it advisable to do so.
39
Your
Right to Receive the Shares Underlying Your ADRs
You have the right to cancel your ADSs and withdraw the
underlying shares at any time except:
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When temporary delays arise because: (i) the depositary has
closed its transfer books or we have closed our transfer books;
(ii) the transfer of shares is blocked to permit voting at
a shareholders meeting; or (iii) we are paying a
dividend on our shares.
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When you or other ADS holders seeking to withdraw shares owe
money to pay fees, taxes and similar charges.
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When it is necessary to prohibit withdrawals in order to comply
with any laws or governmental regulations that apply to ADSs or
to the withdrawal of shares or other deposited securities.
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This right of withdrawal may not be limited by any other
provision of the deposit agreement.
Pre-Release
of ADSs
The deposit agreement permits the depositary to deliver ADSs
before deposit of the underlying shares. This is called a
pre-release of the American depositary shares. The depositary
may also deliver shares upon cancellation of pre-released ADSs
(even if the ADSs are cancelled before the pre-release
transaction has been closed out). A pre-release is closed out as
soon as the underlying shares are delivered to the depositary.
The depositary may receive ADSs instead of shares to close out a
pre-release. The depositary may pre-release ADSs only under the
following conditions: (1) before or at the time of the
pre-release, the person to whom the pre-release is being made
represents to the depositary in writing that it or its customer
owns the shares or ADSs to be deposited; (2) the
pre-release is fully collateralized with cash or other
collateral that the depositary considers appropriate; and
(3) the depositary must be able to close out the
pre-release on not more than five business days notice. In
addition, the depositary will limit the number of ADSs that may
be outstanding at any time as a result of pre-release, although
the depositary may disregard the limit from time to time, if it
thinks it is appropriate to do so.
Direct
Registration System
In the deposit agreement, all parties to the deposit agreement
have acknowledged that the Direct Registration System and
Profile Modification System will apply to uncertificated ADSs
upon acceptance thereof to DRS by the DTC. The Direct
Registration System is the system administered by DTC pursuant
to which the depositary may register the ownership of
uncertificated American depositary shares, which ownership shall
be evidenced by periodic statements issued by the depositary to
the ADS holders entitled thereto. The Profile Modification
System is a required feature of the Direct Registration System
which allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of an
ADS holder, to direct the depositary to register a transfer of
those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to
the DTC account of that DTC participant without receipt by the
depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to
register such transfer.
In connection with and in accordance with the arrangements and
procedures relating to the Direct Registration System/Profile
Modification System, the parties to the deposit agreement
understand that the depositary will not verify, determine or
otherwise ascertain that the DTC participant which is claiming
to be acting on behalf of an ADS holder in requesting
registration of transfer and delivery described in the paragraph
above has the actual authority to act on behalf of the ADS
holder (notwithstanding any requirements under the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York). In the
deposit agreement, the parties agree that the depositarys
reliance on and compliance with instructions received by the
depositary through the Direct Registration System Profile
Modification System and in accordance with the deposit
agreement, shall not constitute negligence or bad faith on the
part of the depositary.
40
DESCRIPTION
OF PREFERRED SHARES
Under the terms of our amended and restated articles of
association, our board of directors has authority, without any
further vote or action by our shareholders, to issue Preferred
Shares (as such term is defined in Article 4 of our amended
and restated articles of association) in the amount up to 20% by
par value of all then issued shares. Our board of directors is
authorized to provide for the issuance of preferred shares in
one or more series with designations as may be stated in the
resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such
preferred shares. At the time that any series of our preferred
shares are authorized, our board of directors will fix the
dividend rights, any conversion rights, any voting rights,
redemption provisions, liquidation preferences and any other
rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of that series,
as well as the number of shares constituting that series and
their designation. Our board of directors could, without
shareholder approval, cause us to issue preferred shares which
have voting, conversion and other rights that could adversely
affect the holders of our ordinary shares or make it more
difficult to effect a change in control; provided that, where
any issue of shares is proposed and such shares proposed to be
issued are equal to or exceed 20% by par value of all then
issued shares, the prior approvals by ordinary resolution of the
holders of the ordinary shares, voting together as one class,
shall be required. Our preferred shares could be used to dilute
the share ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of us
and thereby hinder a possible takeover attempt which, if our
shareholders were offered a premium over the market value of
their shares, might be viewed as being beneficial to our
shareholders. The material terms of any series of preferred
shares that we offer through a prospectus supplement will be
described in that prospectus supplement.
41
DESCRIPTION
OF DEBT SECURITIES
This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions
of our debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular
series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms
of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also
indicate in the supplement whether the general terms and
provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular
series of debt securities.
Unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus,
the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations
and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness.
The debt securities will be issued under an indenture. We have
summarized select portions of the indenture below. Capitalized
terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the
meanings specified in the indenture.
General
The terms of each series of debt securities will be established
by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set
forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of
our board of directors, in an officers certificate or by a
supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of
debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement
relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or
term sheet).
We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the
indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or
various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We
will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing
supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt
securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the
following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:
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the title of the debt securities;
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the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal
amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;
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any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt
securities;
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the date or dates on which we will pay the principal on the debt
securities;
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the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or
the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any
commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial
index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date
or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on
which interest will commence and be payable and any regular
record date for the interest payable on any interest payment
date;
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the place or places where principal of, premium and interest on
the debt securities will be payable;
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the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt
securities;
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any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities
pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the
option of a holder of debt securities;
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the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will
repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt
securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these
repurchase obligations;
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the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued,
if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof;
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whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of
certificated debt securities or global debt securities;
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the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable
upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other
than the principal amount;
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the currency of denomination of the debt securities;
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the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in
which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt
securities will be made;
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if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt
securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency
units other than that or those in which the debt securities are
denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect
to these payments will be determined;
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the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of,
premium or interest on the debt securities will be determined,
if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index
based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the
debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or
by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange
index or financial index;
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any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt
securities;
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any addition to or change in the Events of Default described in
this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt
securities and any change in the acceleration provisions
described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to
the debt securities;
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any addition to or change in the covenants described in this
prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt
securities;
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any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement,
modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to
that series; and
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any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange
rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt
securities.
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In addition, the indenture does not limit our ability to issue
convertible or subordinated debt securities. Any conversion or
subordination provisions of a particular series of debt
securities will be set forth in the resolution of our board of
directors, the officers certificate or the supplemental
indenture related to that series of debt securities and will be
described in the relevant prospectus supplement.
We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less
than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon
declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the
terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on
the federal income tax considerations and other special
considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the
applicable prospectus supplement.
Covenants
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any
restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.
Consolidation,
Merger and Sale of Assets
We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey,
transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and
assets to, any person (a successor person) unless:
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we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if
other than Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd.) is a corporation
organized and validly existing under the laws of any
U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our
obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;
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immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of
Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or
both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and
be continuing under the indenture; and
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certain other conditions are met.
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Notwithstanding the above, any subsidiary of Solarfun Power
Holdings Co., Ltd., may consolidate with, merge into or transfer
all or part of its properties to Solarfun Power Holdings Co.,
Ltd.
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Events of
Default
Event of Default means with respect to any series of
debt securities, any of the following:
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default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of
that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of
that default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire
amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or
with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the
30-day
period);
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default in the payment of principal of or premium on any debt
security of that series when due and payable;
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default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or
warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or
warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the
benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series),
which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days
after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the
trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than
25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of
that series as provided in the indenture;
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certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; and
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any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt
securities of that series that is described in the applicable
prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus.
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The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of
our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to
compliance with the indenture. The indenture provides that the
trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of
any series of any default or Event of Default (except in payment
on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt
securities of that series if it in good faith determines that
withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those
debt securities.
Modification
and Waiver
We may modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the
holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the
modifications or amendments.
Defeasance
of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain
Circumstances
Legal Defeasance.
The indenture provides that,
unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series
of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all
obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series
(except for certain obligations to register the transfer or
exchange of debt securities of such series, to replace stolen,
lost or mutilated debt securities of such series, and to
maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the
treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so
discharged upon the deposit with the trustee of money
and/or
U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt
securities denominated in a single currency other than
U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through
the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their
terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay and
discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on
and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt
securities of that series on the stated maturity of those
payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those
debt securities.
This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have
delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we
have received from, or there has been published by, the
U.S. Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date
of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the
applicable U.S. federal income tax law, in either case to
the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm
that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not
recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge
and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same
amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would
have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had
not occurred.
Defeasance of Certain Covenants.
The indenture
provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the
applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with
certain conditions:
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we may omit to comply with certain covenants set forth in the
indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set
forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and
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any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute
a default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt
securities of that series (covenant defeasance).
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The conditions include:
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depositing with the trustee money
and/or
U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt
securities denominated in a single currency other than
U.S. dollars, foreign government obligations, that, through
the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their
terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay and
discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest
on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the
debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those
payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those
debt securities; and
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delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect
that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not
recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax
purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant
defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax
on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times
as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant
defeasance had not occurred.
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Governing
Law
The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of
New York.
45
DESCRIPTION
OF WARRANTS
We may issue (either separately or together with other
securities) warrants to purchase ordinary shares represented by
ADSs. The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements (each
a Warrant Agreement) to be entered into between us
and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent (the Warrant
Agent). The form of Warrant Agreement has been filed as an
exhibit to the registration statement. The following summary of
certain provisions of the Warrant Agreement does not purport to
be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by
reference to the Warrant Agreement, including the definitions of
certain terms.
GENERAL
Reference is made to the prospectus supplement for the terms of
the warrants, including:
(1) The title and aggregate number of such warrants.
(2) The number of ordinary shares that may be purchased
upon exercise of such ordinary shares; the price, or the manner
of determining the price, at which such shares may be purchased
upon such exercise; if other than cash, the property and manner
in which the exercise price may be paid; and any minimum number
of such warrants that are exercisable at any one time.
(3) The time or times at which, or period or periods in
which, such warrants may be exercised and the expiration date of
such warrants.
(4) The terms of any our right to redeem such warrants.
(5) The terms of any our right to accelerate the exercise
of such warrants upon the occurrence of certain events.
(6) Whether such warrants will be sold with any other
securities.
(7) The date, if any, on and after which such warrants and
such securities will be separately transferable.
(8) Any other terms of such warrants.
Certificates representing warrants (the Warrant
Certificates) will be exchangeable for new Warrant
Certificates of different denominations. No service charge will
be made for any permitted transfer or exchange of Warrant
Certificates, but we may require payment of any tax or other
governmental charge payable in connection therewith. Warrants
may be exercised at the corporate trust office of the Warrant
Agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement.
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ENFORCEABILITY
OF CIVIL LIABILITIES
We are incorporated in the Cayman Islands to take advantage of
certain benefits associated with being a Cayman Islands exempted
company, such as:
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political and economic stability;
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an effective judicial system;
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a favorable tax system;
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the absence of exchange control or currency
restrictions; and
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the availability of professional and support services.
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However, certain disadvantages accompany incorporation in the
Cayman Islands. These disadvantages include:
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the Cayman Islands has a less developed body of securities laws
as compared to the United States and provides significantly less
protection to investors; and
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Cayman Islands companies may not have standing to sue before the
federal courts of the United States.
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Our constituent documents do not contain provisions requiring
that disputes, including those arising under the securities laws
of the United States, between us, our officers, directors and
shareholders, be arbitrated.
Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in
China, and substantially all of our assets are located in China.
A majority of our directors and officers are nationals or
residents of jurisdictions other than the United States,
and a substantial portion of their assets are located outside
the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for a
shareholder to effect service of process within the United
States upon such persons, or to enforce against us or them
judgments obtained in United States courts, including judgments
predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities
laws of the United States or any state in the United States.
We have appointed CT Corporation System, 111 Eighth Avenue, New
York, NY 10011, as our agent to receive service of process with
respect to any action brought against us in the United States
District Court for the Southern District of New York under the
federal securities laws of the United States or of any state in
the United States or any action brought against us in the
Supreme Court of the State of New York in the County of New York
under the securities laws of the State of New York.
Maples and Calder, our counsel as to Cayman Islands law, and
Grandall Legal Group (Shanghai), our counsel as to PRC law, have
advised us, respectively, that there is uncertainty as to
whether the courts of the Cayman Islands and the PRC,
respectively, would:
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recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained
against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the
civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United
States or any state in the United States; or
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entertain original actions brought in each respective
jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated
upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in
the United States.
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Maples and Calder has further advised us that a final and
conclusive judgment in the federal or state courts of the United
States under which a sum of money is payable, other than a sum
payable in respect of taxes, fines, penalties or similar
charges, may be subject to enforcement proceedings as a debt in
the courts of the Cayman Islands under the common law doctrine
of obligation.
Grandall Legal Group (Shanghai), has advised us further that the
recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided
for under the PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize
and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the
requirements of the PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on
treaties between the PRC and the country where the judgment is
made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions.
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TAXATION
Cayman
Islands Taxation
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the material
Cayman Islands tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership
and disposition of any securities offered thereunder.
PRC
Taxation
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the material
PRC tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and
disposition of any securities offered thereunder by non-PRC
investors.
U.S.
Federal Income Taxation
The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the material
U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition,
ownership and disposition of any securities offered thereunder
by an initial investor who is a United States person (within the
meaning of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended).
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PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
We may sell or distribute the securities included in this
prospectus through underwriters, through agents, to dealers, in
private transactions, at market prices prevailing at the time of
sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices, or at
negotiated prices.
In addition, we may sell some or all of the securities included
in this prospectus through:
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a block trade in which a broker-dealer may resell a portion of
the block, as principal, in order to facilitate the transaction;
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purchases by a broker-dealer, as principal, and resale by the
broker-dealer for its account; or
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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which a
broker solicits purchasers.
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In addition, we may enter into option or other types of
transactions that require us to deliver securities to a
broker-dealer, who will then resell or transfer the securities
under this prospectus.
We may enter into hedging transactions with respect to our
securities. For example, we may:
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enter into transactions involving short sales of our ordinary
shares by broker-dealers;
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sell shares of ordinary shares short themselves and deliver the
shares to close out short positions;
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enter into option or other types of transactions that require us
to deliver shares of ordinary shares to a broker-dealer, who
will then resell or transfer the shares under this
prospectus; or
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loan or pledge shares of ordinary shares to a broker-dealer, who
may sell the loaned shares or, in the event of default, sell the
pledged shares.
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We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or
sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties
in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable
prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those
derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by
this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement,
including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may
use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to
settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings
of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement
of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of
stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an
underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be
identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a
post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or
pledge securities to a financial institution or other third
party that in turn may sell the securities short using this
prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may
transfer its economic short position to investors in our
securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other
securities.
Any broker-dealers or other persons acting on our behalf that
participate with us in the distribution of the shares may be
deemed to be underwriters and any commissions received or profit
realized by them on the resale of the shares may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.
At the time that any particular offering of securities is made,
to the extent required by the Securities Act, a prospectus
supplement will be distributed, setting forth the terms of the
offering, including the aggregate number of securities being
offered, the purchase price of the securities, the initial
offering price of the securities, the names of any underwriters,
dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other items
constituting compensation from us and any discounts, commissions
or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.
Underwriters and agents in any distribution contemplated hereby,
including but not limited to at-the-market equity offerings, may
from time to time include Morgan Stanley Co. Incorporated.
Underwriters or agents could
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make sales in privately negotiated transactions
and/or
any
other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an
at-the-market offering as defined in Rule 415 promulgated
under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on
or through Nasdaq, the existing trading market for our ordinary
shares, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on
an exchange.
We will bear costs relating to all of the securities being
registered under this Registration Statement.
Pursuant to a requirement by the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority, or FINRA, the maximum commission or discount to be
received by any FINRA member or independent broker/dealer may
not be greater than eight percent (8%) of the gross proceeds
received by us for the sale of any securities being registered
pursuant to SEC Rule 415 under the Securities Act.
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LEGAL
MATTERS
We are being represented by Shearman & Sterling LLP
with respect to legal matters of United States federal
securities and New York State law. Certain legal matters in
connection with an offering pursuant to this prospectus will be
passed upon for the underwriters by a law firm named in the
applicable prospectus supplement. The validity of any shares
which may be issued pursuant to the securities offered through
this prospectus and certain other legal matters as to Cayman
Islands law will be passed upon for us by Maples and Calder.
Legal matters as to PRC law will be passed upon for us by
Grandall Legal Group (Shanghai) and for the underwriters by a
law firm named in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Shearman & Sterling LLP may rely upon Maples and
Calder with respect to matters governed by Cayman Islands law
and Grandall Legal Group (Shanghai) with respect to matters
governed by PRC law.
EXPERTS
Our consolidated financial statements appearing in our annual
report on
Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the effectiveness
of our internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2007 have been audited by Ernst &
Young Hua Ming, independent registered public accounting firm,
as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and
incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial
statements and our managements assessment of the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2007 are incorporated herein by reference in
reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm
as experts in accounting and auditing.
The offices of Ernst & Young Hua Ming are located at
23/F, The Center, 989 Chang Le Road, Shanghai 200031,
Peoples Republic of China.
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WHERE YOU
CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US
We will furnish to you, through the depositary, English language
versions of any reports, notices and other communications that
we generally transmit to holders of our ordinary shares.
We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, in accordance with this
Act, we file annual reports and other information with the SEC.
You may read and copy any of this information in the SECs
Public Reference Room, 100 F Street, NE Washington, DC
20549. You may also obtain copies of this information by mail
from the Public Reference Section of the SEC,
100 F Street, NE Washington, DC 20549, at
prescribed rates. You can obtain information on the operation of
the SECs Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. by
calling the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330.
The SEC also maintains an Internet web site that contains
reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers,
like us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of
that site is
http://www.sec.gov.
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INCORPORATION
OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the
information we file with them. This means that we can disclose
important information to you by referring you to those
documents. Each document incorporated by reference is current
only as of the date of such document, and the incorporation by
reference of such documents shall not create any implication
that there has been no change in our affairs since the date
thereof or that the information contained therein is current as
of any time subsequent to its date. The information incorporated
by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus and
should be read with the same care. When we update the
information contained in documents that have been incorporated
by reference by making future filings with the SEC, the
information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is
considered to be automatically updated and superseded. In other
words, in the case of a conflict or inconsistency between
information contained in this prospectus and information
incorporated by reference into this prospectus, you should rely
on the information contained in the document that was filed
later.
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:
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our annual report on
Form 20-F
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, filed on
June 27, 2008 and amended on June 30, 2008;
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our current reports on Form 6-K, submitted to the SEC on
July 14, 2008;
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our current report on
Form 6-K,
submitted to the SEC on June 30, 2008; and
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with respect to each offering of securities under this
prospectus, all reports on
Form 20-F
and any report on
Form 6-K
that so indicates it is being incorporated by reference, in each
case, that we file with the SEC on or after the date on which
the registration statement is first filed with the SEC and until
the termination or completion of that offering under this
prospectus.
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Our annual report on
Form 20-F
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 filed on
June 27, 2008 and amended on June 30, 2008, contains a
description of our business and audited consolidated financial
statements with a report by our independent auditors. These
financial statements are prepared in accordance with
US GAAP.
Copies of all documents incorporated by reference in this
prospectus, other than exhibits to those documents unless such
exhibits are specially incorporated by reference in this
prospectus, will be provided at no cost to each person,
including any beneficial owner, who receives a copy of this
prospectus on the written or oral request of that person made to:
Solarfun Power Holdings Co., Ltd.
666 Linyang Road
Qidong, Jiangsu Province 226200, Peoples Republic of China
Tel:
(86-513)
8330-7688
You should rely only on the information that we incorporate by
reference or provide in this prospectus. We have not authorized
anyone to provide you with different information. We are not
making any offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where
the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the
information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other
than the date on the front of those documents.
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