Ascent Solar Announces 2Q 2016 Financial Results

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016.
 
Total net revenue for the second quarter of 2016 was $255,000, compared to $2.23 million reported for the same period last year, a decline of $1.98 million. Correspondingly, total operating costs and expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2016 decreased by $1.77 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2015. As a result, net operating loss for the second quarter of 2016 totaled $7.14 million, as compared to $6.93 million for the second quarter of 2015.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2016, total revenue was $966,000, compared to $2.89 million reported for the same period last year, a decrease of $1.93 million. Total operating costs and expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2016 decreased by $1.13 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2015. Net operating loss for the second half of 2016 totaled $14.64 million, as compared to $13.85 million for the second half of 2015.
 
Net product sales for the quarter were negatively impacted by various factors that unfortunately happened concurrently. First, Ascent experienced a temporary slowdown of purchase orders from one of its large customers due to a change in management and purchasing strategies. Secondly, there were changes in the terms to some of the company’s customer agreements, resulting in the deferral of a portion of revenue recognition in compliance with the US GAAP accounting rules.
 
Thirdly, the retail industry in the consumer electronics and sporting goods sector has been experiencing some major challenges, including the filing for bankruptcy protection by one of its key clients. Finally, Ascent’s ability to build on 2015’s sales momentum was severely impacted by limitations on raising further growth capital given the negative impact of moving from its Nasdaq listing to the OTCQB Venture Market.
 
Active cost-cutting measures were implemented as Ascent restructures its operations following the delisting from the Nasdaq Capital Market. The company has since lowered selling, general, and administrative expenses as well as other financing costs, which has contributed to improvements to its overall net loss as compared to the prior quarter. Research and development expenses have remained relatively flat while the company continues to improve the efficiency of its PV products and develop new products to meet customers’ demands.
 
 “While we are disappointed with the results in the first half of the year, we are confident that the worst is over as we continue to further execute our growth plan for 2016 and beyond,” said Victor Lee, president and CEO of Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. “Given the continuous expansion of our retail footprint, particularly with the previously announced increased penetration of our distribution effort into more than 1,000 Verizon Wireless authorized retail stores, we remain optimistic on the opportunities ahead for growth.
 
“With entrance into several new retailers in the first half of the year, we are focused on delivering improved results heading into the second half of the year,” Lee concluded. “We have also made great progress in the defense and emergency preparedness market, particularly in the increasing interest shown in our award winning, military graded MilPak E solar and battery integrated blanket, which we believe will add to our significant revenue velocity going forward.”