Pineapple Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:PEGY) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

So it was over $0.5 million of operating cash and just EBITDA that would’ve fallen to the bottom line. I think very significant silver lining is like you said, I think in some aspects of the investigation like are still winding down, but we’ve seen the permitting piece get solved and unclogged and as of now, I don’t think we have a single one of those projects or ones like it that are still awaiting permits because of this issue so it’s like a small handful, like three or four of them. And so we have been able to realize those installs in Q1, which bodes well and we don’t anticipate any additional challenges going forward from this.

Donovan Schafer: Okay, great. That’s super helpful color. And then I also want to ask about ASPs. So I know the results in some ways are preliminary and then there’s kind of these added layers or issues of pro forma versus there’s the legacy CSI business and everything. But you gave pro forma numbers for quarter-over-quarter growth in kilowatts installed in the fourth quarter €“ sorry, year-over-year growth at 23%. And then the rev €“ the pro forma revenue growth was 13%. So my math, that’s correct that implies an 8% ASP decline if you’re just doing dollar per watt. But of course, there’s results to battery attachments and other things like that, but also compliment €“ that complicate things here. So just checking in on this, is there €“ there really was this kind of year-over-year ASP decline in the markets that you are serving or and if there’s something behind that, I mean, was it just elevated pricing before with poly silicon and other stuff and that just come down.

Any color would be helpful.

Kyle Udseth: Yes. It’s a great question. And actually we were sitting here as a team about 7:30 last night, kind of going through the script and looking at the same things and how the metrics triangulate. I think the short answer response to your question is that, the kilowatt sold might have been up by less than the revenue, but if you look at or vice versa, but if you look at the actual kilowatts installed, it doesn’t imply that. Is that right? I think Eric’s got the sheet here, right. So I think the key thing is that the revenue is recognized not when the kilowatts are sold, but when they’re installed. Yes. And so I think that we’re not seeing ASP declines. I think there’s a separate issue of gross margin, and I think in the fourth quarter in Hawaii, we had some gross margin pressure because of elevated COGS that kind of stemmed from some service things, and also some supply chain stuff kind of hitting from COVID.

But I think €“ and in a bit, we made a conscious decision that there was so much demand top of funnel in Hawaii because of this battery bonus program that’s been solid for the market and continuing to this year. And we decided we wanted to continue in our leadership position and take share. And so we didn’t raise prices as aggressively as €“ maybe we could over some competitors did, but I think we maintained a healthy margin generally. But I think specifically to the dynamic you were pointing out, the delta is just that the revenue went up more than the kilowatts installed went up.

Donovan Schafer: Okay. That’s helpful. And then I want to ask about the Eguana licensing deal. So in the release you guys mentioned, there’s like an upfront kind of fee that they’re paying you guys. Curious if you can quantify that at all. And then the other part to that is, if I recall correctly, some of the proprietary technology around what E-Gear has here, is some of that is somewhat unique to the Hawaiian market and kind of telecom integration stuff there. Is that still the case? Is that correct? The licensing deal would really largely be a Hawaii market phenomenon? Or is that something where it’d be valuable technology in other states?