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ISUN, INC. (ISUN)·Q2 2021 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2021 revenue rose 57% year over year to $4.35M, with year-to-date revenue up 71.9% to $11.61M; backlog remained robust at ~$77M expected to convert over 12–18 months .
- Gross margin compressed to -14.6% due to pandemic carryover effects, a material quality issue on an out-of-state project, and higher labor costs; operating loss widened to -$2.80M .
- Management reaffirmed its 2021 outlook to at least double revenue vs 2020 and to improve EBITDA margin through efficiencies and scale; prior guidance also called for gross margin expansion .
- Strategic progress included EV charging contracts for branded iSun Roam off-grid solar carports, utility-scale development via Oakwood IP, and an M&A plan to build “iSun Residential” targeting $75M run-rate by end of 2022 .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Secured EV charging/carport wins: Contract to build 18 branded iSun Roam off-grid solar carport and EV charging stations at remote trailheads across the U.S. .
- Backlog and pipeline strength: Backlog at ~$77M (vs $26M in Q2 2020 and $61M in Q4 2020) with revenue realization expected over 12–18 months, supporting growth visibility .
- Strategic platform expansion: Utility-scale entry via Oakwood IP led to development services on eight sites (118MW), an initial $1.25M contract, and potential EPC rights valued at ~$120M (not in backlog); Residential consolidation plan targeting 7,500 customers/75MW/$75M run-rate by end 2022 .
- Quote (CEO): “iSun…is uniquely capable of accelerating the transition from dirty to clean energy required to meet our nation’s increasing energy demands” .
What Went Wrong
- Margin pressure: Q2 gross margin fell to -14.6% (vs ~0.0% in Q2 2020) driven by a material non-conformance issue requiring rework and higher labor costs in tight markets .
- Higher OpEx: G&A increased with integration costs (iSun Energy LLC acquisition), shareholder meeting/professional fees; Q2 operating loss widened to -$2.80M .
- Internal control weakness: Management disclosed disclosure controls “were not effective” due to a material weakness (warrant valuation issue), with remediation plans underway .
Financial Results
Revenue, EPS, Margins vs Prior Periods and Estimates
Estimates: Wall Street consensus via S&P Global was unavailable for ISUN due to mapping issues; no estimate comparisons provided (Values retrieved from S&P Global)*.
Segment Revenue Breakdown (Performance Obligations Satisfied Over Time)
KPIs and Balance Sheet
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Note: Edited transcript published on Business Wire confirms discussion of Q2 results and outlook .
Management Commentary
- Strategic context (CEO): “The recent trend towards the electrification of everything – particularly automobiles - suggests that we are about to experience a generational increase in electricity demand… we’ve no choice but to rely on renewable energy sources to meet increased demand” .
- Value proposition: “We combine the capabilities of a Utility and Industrial scale EPC with those of a consumer-facing residential and commercial EPC and an EV charging solutions provider… [to] leverage economies of scale to improve margin performance” .
- Outlook reaffirmation: With ~$77M backlog and strong pipeline, iSun “continues to expect to at least double revenue in 2021… [and] generate improved EBITDA margin throughout the year” .
- Margin headwinds (MD&A): Q2 gross margin impacted by material non-conformance and labor shortages; rework without incremental revenue pressured profitability .
Q&A Highlights
- Backlog conversion timing: Management reiterated expectation to convert nearly all backlog over 12–18 months, underpinning 2021–2022 revenue visibility .
- Margin remediation: Clarified that margin pressures were tied to a specific material issue and elevated labor costs; focus on efficiencies and scale to improve EBITDA margins in 2H21 .
- Growth initiatives: Discussed EV charging/carport deployments and utility-scale development services/EPC opportunities not yet reflected in backlog, offering upside optionality .
- Liquidity/capital plan: Reaffirmed robust cash and at-the-market program availability to support execution of backlog and M&A strategy .
Estimates Context
- Consensus EPS and revenue estimates for Q2 2021 via S&P Global were unavailable due to a Capital IQ mapping issue; comparisons to Street estimates are not provided (Values retrieved from S&P Global)*.
- Given reaffirmed guidance (double 2021 revenue vs 2020) and margin commentary, sell-side models may need to lower near-term gross margin assumptions while maintaining revenue trajectory, with EBITDA margin improvement deferred to 2H21 .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Revenue trajectory intact: Backlog (~$77M) and pipeline support 2021 growth; management reiterates “at least double” 2021 revenue vs 2020, a key narrative anchor .
- Margin recovery is the swing factor: Q2 margin compression was event-driven (material issue) and market-driven (labor); watch 2H21 EBITDA margin improvement vs guidance .
- Strategic optionality beyond backlog: EV charging/carport deployments and utility-scale development/EPC rights (~$120M not in backlog) provide upside if converted .
- Liquidity supports execution: ~$20.22M cash and capital access (ATM/shelf) provide flexibility to execute backlog and M&A (Residential roll-up) without near-term financing risk .
- Risk monitor: Material weakness in internal controls (warrant accounting) and continued labor/supply chain tightness are near-term headwinds; track remediation progress and gross margin prints .
- Trading implications: Reaffirmed top-line guidance is supportive; margin prints and conversion of non-backlog utility-scale opportunities are likely stock catalysts near-term .