Item 1: Business
Our Company
808 Renewable Energy Corporation (the "Company", "we", "our") was formed as a Nevada corporation in May 2009 for the purpose of acquiring, developing, owning and managing renewable and efficient energy projects throughout the United States. Before forming 808 Renewable Energy Corporation, we operated 808 Energy 3, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company formed in January 2009 for the purpose of acquiring, re-commissioning and operating distributed generation ("DG") energy facilities, also known as combined heat and power ("CHP") plants. On August 20, 2010, 808 Renewable acquired all of the then-outstanding units of membership interest of 808 Energy 3, LLC not then already owned by 808 Renewable, thereby making 808 Energy 3, LLC a wholly-owned subsidiary of 808 Renewable. We also acquired 808 Energy 2, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company formed in August 2008 to acquire the CHP plant located at Pacific Clay Products, Inc. in Lake Elsinore, California. Effective as of June 30, 2011, 808 Renewable acquired all of the then-outstanding units of membership interest of 808 Energy 2, LLC not then already owned by 808 Renewable, thereby making 808 Energy 2, LLC a wholly-owned subsidiary of 808 Renewable.
Being wholly-owned subsidiaries of 808 Renewable immediately before such event, both 808 Energy 3, LLC and 808 Energy 2, LLC were dissolved as of April 23, 2012, at which time all property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of 808 Energy 3, LLC and 808 Energy 2, LLC vested in 808 Renewable, and all debts, liabilities and duties of 808 Energy 3, LLC and 808 Energy 2, LLC became the debts, liabilities and duties of 808 Renewable.
Our principal executive offices are located at 2082 Michelson Drive, Ste. 301, Irvine California, 92612. Our telephone number is (714) 891 8282, and our website address is www.808RenewableEnergy.com.
808 Renewable Energy, or the Company, distributes, owns and operates clean, on-site energy systems that produce electricity, hot water, heat and cooling. Our business model includes ownership of the equipment that we install at customers' facilities and the sale of the energy produced by these systems to the customers on a long-term contractual basis. We also provide engineering and other professional services to clients who own their own on-site energy systems, but require assistance in their operation and maintenance.
We offer natural gas powered cogeneration systems that are highly reliable and energy efficient. Our cogeneration systems produce electricity from an internal combustion engine driving a generator, while the heat from the engine and exhaust is recovered and typically used to produce heat and hot water for use at the site. We also distribute and operate water chiller systems for building cooling applications that operate in a similar manner, except that the engine's power drives a large air-conditioning compressor while recovering heat for hot water. Cogeneration systems reduce the amount of electricity that the customer must purchase from the local utility and produce valuable heat and hot water for the site to use as required. By simultaneously providing electricity, hot water and heat, cogeneration systems also have a significant, positive impact on the environment by reducing the carbon or CO
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produced by offsetting the traditional energy supplied by the electric grid and conventional hot water boilers.
Our customers pay us for energy produced on site at a rate that is a certain percentage below the rate at which the utility companies provide them electrical and natural gas services. We measure the actual amount of electrical and thermal energy produced and charge our customers accordingly. We agree to install, operate, maintain and repair our energy systems at our sole cost and expense. We also agree to obtain any necessary permits or regulatory approvals at our sole expense. Our agreements are generally for a term of up to 15 years, with renewable provisions upon the mutual agreement of the parties
For the customers that want to own their CHP system, we offer our "turn-key" option whereby we provide equipment, systems engineering, installation, interconnect approvals, on-site labor and startup services needed to bring the complete CHP system on-line. For some customers, we are also paid a fee to operate the systems and charge for those systems on a negotiated basis.
During 2014, the Company had seven revenue producing operational energy systems, one of which was operational, only, for the month of January 2014, but due to a change of ownership at that location, ceased to be revenue producing at January 31, 2014. During 2015 the Company had four revenue producing operational energy systems, one of which became operational in June 2015.
Item 1A: Risk Factors.
Our business faces many risks. The risks described below may not be the only risks we face. Additional risks that we do not yet know of, or that we currently think are immaterial, may also impair our business operations or financial results. If any of the events or circumstances described in the following risks occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations could suffer and the trading price of our common stock could decline. Investors and prospective investors should consider the following risks and the information contained under the heading ''Warning Concerning Forward-Looking Statements'' before deciding whether to invest in our securities.
We are at an emerging operational stage, and our success is subject to the substantial risks inherent in the operation of an emerging business venture.
The execution of our business strategy is in an emerging stage. We have invested in, acquired and developed a limited number of CHP plants and have operated such CHP plants for a limited time. Our business and operations should be considered to be in an emerging stage and subject to all of the risks inherent in the operation of an emerging business venture. Our intended business and operations may not prove to be successful in the future, if at all. Any future success that we might enjoy will depend on many factors, several of which may be beyond our control, or which cannot be predicted at this time, and which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, business prospects and operations and the value of an investment in our company.
The sale of cogeneration and cooling equipment has been successfully carried out for more than a decade. Our On-Site Utility concept (i.e., the sale of on-site energy services, rather than equipment) is still in an early stage of implementation. Unresolved issues include the pricing of energy services and the structuring of contracts to provide cost savings to customers and optimum financial returns to us. There is no assurance that we will be successful in developing a profitable On-Site Utility business model, and failure to do so would have a material adverse effect on our business and financial performance. The economic viability of our projects depends on the price spread between fuel and electricity, and the variability of the prices of these components creates a risk that our projects will be uneconomic. Volatility in one component of the spread, the cost of natural gas could affect our ability to be profitable.
Each additional customer site for our services requires the initial installation and subsequent maintenance and service of equipment to be provided by a team of technicians skilled in a broad range of technologies, including combustion, instrumentation, heat transfer, information processing, microprocessor controls, fluid systems and other elements of DG. If we are unable to recruit, train, motivate, sub-contract, and retain such personnel in each of the regional markets where our business operates we will be unable to grow our business in those markets.
We have incurred losses, and these losses may continue. Our success depends on the viability of our business model, which is unproven and may not be feasible.
Our revenue and income potential are unproven, and our business model is still emerging. 808 Renewable was formed in May 2009. Our business model is based on a variety of assumptions relating to the costs to re-commission the plants, our operating costs and prospective revenue sources, which may not reflect the business and market conditions that we actually face. As a result, our operating results could differ materially from those projected under our business model, and our business model may prove to be unprofitable.
We have incurred losses in each year, since 2009, totaling $21,330,452 through December 31, 2015 and $19,583,832 through December 31, 2014. There is no assurance that profitability will be achieved in the near term, if at all.
We may have to increase our operating expenses substantially as we pursue our current business strategy. Because we will incur these increased operating expenses before we receive any significant revenue from our efforts, our losses will be greater than the losses we would incur if we developed our business more slowly. In addition, we may find that our efforts are more expensive than we currently anticipate which would further increase our losses. Also, if our revenue growth is slower than we anticipate or our operating expenses exceed our expectations, then our losses will increase significantly. We are unable to provide any assurance or guarantee that our company will become profitable or generate positive cash flow at any time in the future. Even if we were to achieve profitability, we may be unable to sustain or increase profitability on a quarterly or annual basis.
Our success depends on our ability to maintain and expand our operational and maintenance capabilities.
Our success largely depends on our ability to maintain and expand our ability to re-commission plants and then operate and maintain the projects we acquire or develop. Our in-house capabilities are limited by our small number of employees and limited experience. If we are unable to hire and train qualified employees to successfully re-commission and operate our facilities, we may not be able to efficiently operate the projects. Failure to operate efficiently may result in losses and ultimately the failure of the business and the loss of our stockholders' entire investment in our company.
Future technology changes may render obsolete various elements of equipment comprising our On-Site Utility installations.
We must select equipment for our projects so as to achieve attractive operating efficiencies, while avoiding excessive downtimes from the failure of unproven technologies. If we are unable to achieve a proper balance between the cost, efficiency and reliability of equipment selected for our projects, our growth and profitability will be adversely impacted.
We are subject to increased costs of production due to rising natural gas prices.
Our operating revenue and profits depend in significant part on our ability to generate energy at prices below those available from larger public utility companies. A significant cost component of CHP energy is the cost of natural gas, which has experienced substantial price fluctuations during recent years. Natural gas prices are affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond the control of our company. Fluctuations in natural gas prices may be caused by prolonged or severe weather, constraints in pipeline or delivery systems, diminished reserves and other unforeseen interruptions in supply or increases in demand. Additionally, natural gas prices may correlate to oil prices, and changes in the price of oil may result in corresponding increases or decreases in natural gas prices. If we are unable to purchase natural gas at reasonable prices and control the cost of such prices, our gross margins from the sale of energy will be reduced, and we may sustain losses. Controlling natural gas prices will be an operational expense and will reduce net income and profits.
Decreases in electricity prices will reduce our revenue and could result in losses.
Our revenue is generated primarily from the sale of electricity. Our power purchase agreements generally price electricity at a fixed discount to the price the customer would otherwise pay to its local utility. If the utility company lowers its price of electricity, the price we charge our customers automatically decreases, and our revenue will decrease accordingly. Because our contracts do not contain a fixed or minimum price for electricity, substantial reductions in electricity prices by the utilities serving our customers could result in losses as the price declines below our cost of production.
Systems failures and delays could harm our financial performance and expose us to liability.
Our systems and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from mechanical failure, human error, natural disasters, power loss, intentional acts of vandalism and similar events. Mechanical or other failures could result in substantial periods of time during which no power is being produced, and no revenue is generated from energy sales. However, during such periods of time we would continue to incur the costs relating to the CHP plant, including (in many cases) rent and maintenance costs.
Our business is geographically concentrated in one area.
To date we have acquired CHP plants located only in California. To the extent that we may acquire additional CHP plants, we currently intend to acquire them only if they are located in California. As a result, our business will not be geographically diversified, and our business may be adversely impacted by economic and demographic factors in the immediately surrounding area, regardless of the economic condition in the nation as a whole.
We are exposed to risks associated with the recent worldwide economic slowdown and related uncertainties.
We plan to expand our level of operations. Slower economic activity, concerns about inflation or deflation, decreased consumer confidence, reduced corporate profits and capital spending, adverse business conditions and liquidity concerns in the general economy and recent international conflicts and terrorist and military activity have resulted in a downturn in worldwide economic conditions, especially in the United States. Recent political and social turmoil related to international conflicts and terrorist acts can be expected to place further pressure on economic conditions in the United States and worldwide. These political, social and economic conditions make it extremely difficult for us to accurately forecast and plan future business activities. If such conditions continue or worsen, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
If our energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems do not gain market acceptance, we may be prevented from achieving increased revenues and market share, and our business may fail.
The development of a successful market for our environmentally-friendly energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems may be adversely affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
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our failure to create or acquire energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems that compete favorably against other energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems on the basis of cost, quality and performance;
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our failure to generate environmentally-friendly energy that competes favorably against conventional energy sources on the basis of cost, quality and performance;
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whether or not customers will accept our environmentally-friendly alternatives for energy; and
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our failure to develop and maintain successful relationships with distributors, system integrators, facility and project developers, resellers (if any) and strategic partners.
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If we are unable to integrate effectively and efficiently any energy generation facility or project (or any business or operation) that we may acquire in the future, our business may ultimately fail.
Our business strategy includes acquiring energy generation facilities and projects (and possibly energy generation businesses and operations) that provide energy from environmentally-friendly sources. Our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly as a result of future acquisitions, and you will not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial and other relevant information that we will consider in connection with any future acquisition. Unexpected costs or challenges may arise whenever energy generation facilities or projects (or businesses or operations) with different management and technologies are combined. Inefficiencies and difficulties may arise because of unfamiliarity with new assets and new geographic areas of acquired facilities or projects (or businesses or operations). Successful acquisitions will require our management and other personnel to devote significant amounts of time to integrating the acquired facilities or projects (or businesses or operations) with our pre-existing operations. These efforts may temporarily distract their attention from day-to-day operations, the development or acquisition of new energy generation facilities or projects and other business opportunities. In addition, the management of any acquired business or operation may not join our management team. Any change in management may make it more difficult to integrate an acquired business or operation with our existing operations. Following an acquisition, we may discover previously unknown liabilities associated with the acquired facility or project (or business or operation) for which we may have no recourse under applicable indemnification provisions.
We also may acquire various products, services or technologies to carry out our business strategy. If we acquire products, services or technologies, we could have difficulty in assimilating them into our operations. These difficulties could disrupt our ongoing business, distract our management and employees and increase our expenses.
The capital requirements necessary to implement our strategic initiatives could pose additional risks to our business.
The purchase price of possible acquisitions and/or the costs of other strategic initiatives could require additional debt or equity financing on our part. Since the terms and availability of such financing depend to a large degree on general economic conditions and third parties over which we have no control, we can give no assurance that we will obtain the needed financing or that we will obtain such financing on attractive terms. In addition, our ability to obtain financing depends on a number of other factors, many of which also are beyond our control, such as interest rates and national and local economic conditions. If the cost of obtaining needed financing is too high or the terms of such financing otherwise are unacceptable in relation to the strategic opportunity we are presented with, then we may decide to forego that opportunity. Additional indebtedness could increase our leverage and make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and may limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures. Additional equity financing could result in dilution to our stockholders.
Potential investments in or acquisitions of businesses or operations could require the use of a significant amount of our available cash, result in dilution to our stockholders and adversely affect our results of operations.
We may make investments in or acquire businesses and operations. Effecting such investments and acquisitions could require the use of a significant amount of our available cash. Furthermore, we may have to issue equity or equity-linked securities to pay for future acquisitions, and any such issuance could dilute the percentage ownership interest in our company of our existing and future stockholders. In addition, investments and acquisitions may have negative effects on our results of operations due to acquisition-related charges and the amortization of acquired technology and other intangibles. Any of such investment-related and acquisition-related risks or costs could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Additional financings will be required to implement our overall business plan. We will need additional capital. Equity financings will dilute the percentage ownership of our existing stockholders. Our ability to raise an adequate amount of capital and the terms of any capital that we are able to raise will be dependent upon our progress in implementing demonstration projects and related marketing service development activities. If we do not make adequate progress, we may be unable to raise adequate funds, which will limit our ability to expand our business. If the terms of any equity financings are unfavorable, the dilutive impact on our stockholders might be severe.
Because environmental protection laws may expose us to significant costs and liabilities, our business may be significantly adversely affected by unexpected environmental and regulatory costs.
Our current and planned operations are and will be subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment. Although we believe that our operations will comply with applicable environmental regulations, risks of substantial costs and liabilities in connection with environmental matters are inherent in our business. We cannot assure you that we will not incur substantial costs and liabilities. Increasingly strict environmental laws, regulations and enforcement policies and claims for damages and other similar developments could result in substantial costs and liabilities. Stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could significantly increase our compliance costs and the costs of any remediation that may become necessary. We may not have sufficient insurance to cover all environmental risks and costs in the event that an environmental claim is made against us.
If existing regulations and policies and future changes to these regulations and policies present technical, regulatory or economic barriers to the use of alternative energy sources, which we are unable to overcome, our business may fail.
The market for energy generation is heavily influenced by foreign and United States federal, state and local government regulations and policies concerning the electric utility industry, as well as policies promulgated by electric utilities. These regulations and policies often relate to electricity pricing and technical interconnection of customer-owned electricity generation. In the United States and in a number of other countries, these regulations and policies are being modified and may continue to be modified. Further investment in the research and development of alternative energy sources could be deterred by these regulations and policies, which could result in a significant reduction in the number of environmentally-friendly energy generation facilities or projects (or businesses or operations) available for investment or acquisition.
We anticipate that energy generation facilities and projects will be subject to oversight and regulation in accordance with national and local ordinances relating to building codes, safety, and environmental protection, utility interconnection and metering and related matters. It is difficult to track the requirements of individual states and to comply with the varying standards. New government regulations or utility policies pertaining to our industry may result in significant additional expenses to us and our customers and resellers (if any) and their customers and, as a result, could cause a significant reduction in demand for our energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems.
If technological changes in the renewable or efficient energy industry render our energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems uncompetitive or obsolete, our market share may decline and cause our business to fail.
The renewable and efficient energy market is characterized by continually changing technology requiring improved features, such as higher quality, increased efficiency, higher energy output and lower price. Our failure to further refine our technology and develop and introduce new energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems could cause our energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems to become uncompetitive or obsolete, which could reduce our market share and cause our revenues to decline. The renewable and efficient energy industry is rapidly evolving and competitive. We may need to invest significant financial resources in research and development to keep pace with technological advances in the alternative energy industry and to effectively compete in the future. We believe that a variety of competing technologies are under development by other companies that could result in lower costs or higher performance than those expected for our energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems. Our development efforts may be rendered obsolete by the technological advances of others, and other technologies may prove more advantageous for the commercialization of alternative energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems.
Because the effects of some events are unforeseeable, we may be adversely affected by the occurrence of extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks.
The occurrence of extraordinary events, such as terrorist attacks, intentional or unintentional mass casualty incidents or similar events, may substantially decrease the use of and demand for energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems and energy generation facilities and projects, which may decrease our revenues or expose us to substantial liability. We do not have any insurance policy to cover the occurrence of any of such extraordinary events. The occurrence of future terrorist attacks, military actions by the United States, contagious disease outbreaks or similar events cannot be predicted, and their occurrence can be expected to further negatively affect the economy of the United States. Again, we do not have any insurance policy to cover the occurrence of any of such extraordinary events.
If our business is unsuccessful, our stockholders may lose their entire investment.
Although our stockholders will not be bound by or be personally liable for our expenses, liabilities or obligations beyond their total original investments in our common stock, if we suffer a deficiency in funds with which to satisfy our obligations, our stockholders as a whole may lose their entire investment in our company.
The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales by our existing stockholders of shares of common stock in the market or the perception that these sales could occur. These sales might also make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities at a time and price that we deem appropriate and thus inhibit our ability to raise additional capital when it is needed.
We will need to raise additional capital for our business, which will dilute existing stockholders.
Additional financings will be required to implement our overall business plan. We will need additional capital. Equity financings will dilute the percentage ownership of our existing stockholders. Our ability to raise an adequate amount of capital and the terms of any capital that we are able to raise will be dependent upon our progress in implementing demonstration projects and related marketing service development activities. If we do not make adequate progress, we may be unable to raise adequate funds, which will limit our ability to expand our business. If the terms of any equity financings are unfavorable, the dilutive impact on our stockholders might be severe.
Our ability to continue to access capital could be impacted by various factors including general market conditions, interest rates, the perception of our potential future earnings and cash distributions, any unwillingness on the part of lenders to make loans to us and any deterioration in the financial position of lenders that might make them unable to meet their obligations to us.
We may be forced to curtail or discontinue operations if we are unable to obtain, on commercially acceptable terms, additional capital that we may require from time to time in the future to finance our operations and growth.
We will need additional capital to continue and expand our operations and to implement our business strategy. If our operations expand faster or at a higher rate than currently anticipated, we may require additional capital sooner than we expect. We also may need to raise additional funds sooner to fund more rapid expansion or the development or enhancement of our existing energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems. We are unable to provide any assurance or guarantee that additional capital will be available when needed by our company or that such capital will be available under terms acceptable to our company or on a timely basis. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity, convertible debt or similar securities of our company, the percentage of ownership of our company by our company's stockholders will be reduced, our company's stockholders may experience additional dilution, and such securities may have rights or preferences senior to those of our common stock. We are unable to provide any assurance that additional financing will be available on terms favorable to us or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, our ability to fund our expansion, take advantage of potential opportunities, develop or enhance energy generation products, services, capabilities and systems or otherwise respond to competitive pressures would be limited significantly. This limitation could, substantially, harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our limited operating history creates substantial uncertainty about future results.
We have limited operating history and operations on which to base expectations regarding our future results and performance. In order to succeed, we must do most, if not all, of the following:
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raise corporate equity or debt;
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identify prospective energy generation facilities and projects, negotiate investment or acquisition agreements and raise sufficient capital to consummate the transactions;
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re-commission non-operating plants, which may require third party engineering services;
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obtain all required licenses and permits in the states, counties and countries in which we will operate;
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attract, integrate, retain and motivate qualified management and personnel;
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successfully execute our business strategies
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respond appropriately and timely to competitive developments;
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develop, enhance, promote and carefully manage our identity.
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Our business will suffer if we are unable to accomplish these and other important business objectives. We are uncertain as to when, or whether, we will fully implement our contemplated business strategy or become profitable.
Our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern, and, if we are unable to continue our business, our shares may have little or no value.
In its audit opinion issued in connection with our balance sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and our statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years then ended, our independent registered public accounting firm expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern given our recurring losses and negative operating cash flows. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. The financial statements do not include adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts or amounts of liabilities that might be necessary should we be unable to continue in existence. Our ability to become a profitable operating company is dependent on obtaining financing adequate to fulfill our research and market introduction activities and achieving a level of revenues adequate to support our cost structure. We intend to obtain capital primarily through issuances of debt or equity or entering into collaborative arrangements with corporate partners. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in completing additional financing or collaboration transactions or, if financing is available, that it can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms. The doubts relating to our ability to continue as a going concern may make our shares an unattractive investment for potential investors. These factors, among others, may make it difficult to raise the necessary amount of capital.
The Company operates in highly competitive markets and may be unable to successfully compete against competitors having significantly greater resources and experience.
Our business may be limited by competition from energy services companies arising from the breakup of conventional regulated electric utilities. Such competitors, both in the equipment and energy services sectors, are likely to have far greater financial and other resources than us, and could possess specialized market knowledge with existing channels of access to prospective customer locations. We may be unable to successfully compete against those competitors.
Our business may be limited by competition from energy services companies arising from the breakup of conventional regulated electric utilities. Such competitors, both in the equipment and energy services sectors, are likely to have far greater financial and other resources than us, and could possess specialized market knowledge with existing channels of access to prospective customer locations. We may be unable to successfully compete against those competitors.