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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation These accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with US GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC for annual financial statements. Basis of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CREG and, its subsidiary, Sifang Holdings, its wholly owned subsidiaries, Huahong New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. ("Huahong") and Shanghai TCH, Shanghai TCH’s subsidiaries Xi’an TCH Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Xi’an TCH”) and Xingtai Huaxin Energy Tech Co., Ltd. (“Huaxin”), and Xi’an TCH’s subsidiary, Pingshan Shengda Energy Technology Ltd Co. (“Shengda”) and Erdos TCH Energy Saving Development Co., Ltd (“Erdos TCH”), in which 93% of the investment is from Xi’an TCH. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from the operations of Shanghai TCH and its subsidiaries, which represent substantially all of the Company’s consolidated assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates In preparing these consolidated financial statements in accordance with US GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheets and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Revenue Recognition Sales-type Leasing and Related Revenue Recognition We construct and lease waste energy recycling power generating projects to our customers. We usually transfer ownership of the waste energy recycling power generating projects to our customers at the end of the lease term. Our investment in these projects is recorded as investment in sales-type leases in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 13, “Accounting for Leases” (codified in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840) and its various amendments and interpretations. We finance construction of waste energy recycling power generating. The sales and cost of sales are recognized at the inception of lease. The investment in sales-type leases consists of the sum of the total minimum lease payments receivable less unearned interest income and estimated executory cost. Minimum lease payments are part of the lease agreement between the Company (lessor) and the customer (lessee). The discount rate implicit in the lease is used to calculate the present value of minimum lease payments. The minimum lease payment consists of the gross lease payments net of executory costs and contingent rentals, if any. Unearned interest income is amortized to income over the lease term to produce a constant periodic rate of return on net investment in the lease. While revenue is recognized at the inception of the lease, the cash flow from the sales-type lease occurs over the course of the lease which results in interest income and reduction of receivables. Revenue is recognized net of Sales Tax. Contingent Rental Income The Company records income from actual electricity usage in addition to minimum lease payments of each project as contingent rental income in the period contingent rental income is earned. Contingent rent is not part of minimum lease payments. Cash and Equivalents Cash and equivalents includes cash on hand, demand deposits placed with banks or other financial institutions and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less as of the purchase date of such investments. Accounts Receivable As of December 31, 2011, the Company had accounts receivable of $19.04 million arising, in part, from the transfer of a set of 18MW capacity power generating systems to Shenmu by Xi’an TCH for $18.75 million (RMB 120 million) (the “Repurchase Price”). Shenmu shall pay the first 30% of the Repurchase Price within 5 working days of the Repurchase Agreement date, the second 30% of Repurchase Price within 90 days of the Repurchase Agreement date and the remaining 40% of the Repurchase Price within 180 days of the Repurchase Agreement date. The ownership of the Systems will be transferred to Shenmu when the entire Repurchase Price has been paid. In January 2012, the Company received $5.71 million (RMB 36 million), the first 30% of repurchase price from Shenmu. Concentration of Credit Risk Cash includes cash on hand and demand deposits in accounts maintained within China. Balances at financial institutions within China are not covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. Certain other financial instruments, which subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist of accounts and other receivables. The Company does not require collateral or other security to support these receivables. The Company conducts periodic reviews of its customers’ financial condition and customer payment practices to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable. The operations of the Company are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic and legal environments in the PRC, as well as by the general state of the PRC economy. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; additions, renewals and betterments are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated lives as follows:
Building | 20 years
Vehicle | 2 - 5 years
Office and Other Equipment | 2 - 5 years
Software | 2 - 3 years
Impairment of Long-life Assets In accordance with SFAS 144 (codified in FASB ASC Topic 360), the Company reviews its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. If the total of the expected undiscounted future net cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying amount of the asset. There was no impairment as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. Cost of Sales Cost of sales consists primarily of the direct material of the power generating system and expenses incurred directly for project construction for sales-type leasing, and rental expenses for two pieces of power generation equipment for the operating lease. Income Taxes The Company utilizes SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 740), which requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each period end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The Company follows the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, (“FIN 48”), codified in FASB ASC Topic 740. When tax returns are filed, it is likely that some positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others are subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefits associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. Interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as interest expense and penalties are classified in selling, general and administrative expenses in the statements of income. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had not taken any uncertain positions that would necessitate recording of tax related liability. Non-Controlling Interest The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation,” which established new standards governing the accounting for and reporting of non-controlling interests (NCIs) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCIs (previously referred to as minority interests) be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability (as was previously the case), that increases and decreases in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses, and that losses of a partially owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to the NCI even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance. The net income (loss) attributed to the NCI was separately designated in the accompanying statements of income and other comprehensive income. Losses attributable to the NCI in a subsidiary may exceed the NCI’s interests in the subsidiary’s equity. The excess attributable to the NCI is attributed to those interests. The NCI shall continue to be attributed its share of losses even if that attribution results in a deficit NCI balance. Statement of Cash Flows In accordance with SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 230), cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based upon the local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statement of cash flows may not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheet. Cash from financing activities exclude: (i) our issuance of 2,941,176 shares of our common stock in connection with our payment in full of RMB 80 million for the Pucheng project; and (ii) the conversion of a $5,000,000 note by Carlyle into 4,334,192 shares of the Company’s common stock at $1.154 per share. Fair Value of Financial Instruments For certain of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term debt, the carrying amounts approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. Receivables on sales-type leases are based on interest rates implicit in the lease. ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments held by the Company. ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” defines fair value, and establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosures of fair value measurement that enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measures. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for receivables and current liabilities each qualify as financial instruments and are a reasonable estimate of their fair values because of the short period of time between the origination of such instruments and their expected realization and their current market rate of interest. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:
• | Level 1 inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
• | Level 2 inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
• | Level 3 inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
The Company analyzes all financial instruments with features of both liabilities and equity under ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity,” and ASC 815. The following are our considerations with respect to disclosures of fair value of long-term debt obligations. As of fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Company’s long term debt obligations consisted of the following: (i) bank loans payable in the amount of $20.79 million, (ii) trust loans payable in the amount of $31.50 million and (iii) a long term payable for a sale-leaseback transaction in the amount of $5.00 million. Fair value measurements/approximations, for certain financial instruments, are based on what a reporting entity would likely have to pay to transfer the financial obligation to an entity with a comparable credit rating. Our bank loans and trust loans payable are privately held (i.e., nonpublic) debt; therefore, pricing inputs are not observable. For this reason, we classified bank loans and trust loans payable as a Level 3 fair value measurement in the valuation hierarchy. For each of our long term debt obligations noted above, we believe the carrying amounts approximate their fair values. The following reasons are supportive of this determination. Bank Loans Payables of $20.79 Million (noncurrent portion) As of fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, the Company had three loans with the same Chinese commercial bank with terms of 3, 3 and 4 years, respectively. Each loan was for our subsidiary’s (Xi’an TCH’s) energy saving and emission reduction projects and had a floating interest rate that reset at the beginning of each quarter at 110%, 115% and 115%, respectively, of the national base interest rate for the same term and same level loan. Each of these loans was guaranteed by Xi’an TCH (along with a pledge of its accounts receivables) and by certain executive officers of the Company, and a pledge of certain BMPG (Biomass Power Generation) systems. Based on our understanding of the credit markets, the fact that our business is in a sector (energy-saving green) that is supported by the PRC government and the lending bank, we believe that we could have obtained similar loans at December 31, 2011 on similar terms and interest rates. In addition, in connection with the fair value measurement, we considered nonperformance risk (including credit risk) relating to the debt obligations, including the following: (i) we are considered a low credit risk customer to the lending bank and our creditors; (ii) we have a good history of making timely payments and have never defaulted on any loans; and (iii) we have a stable and continuous cash inflow from collections from our sales-type lease of energy saving projects. Trust Loans Payable of $31.50 Million (noncurrent portion) Pursuant to a Trust Loan Plan, the Company issued trust loans at RMB 1 per unit for total of 300,000,000 units with interest rates ranging from 8.35% - 12.05% and terms ranging from 2 – 4 years. Of these units, (i) 13,750,000 units ($2.0 million) were purchased by the management of Erdos TCH; and (ii) 47,850,000 units were purchased by Xi’an TCH. All of the proceeds raised under the Trust Loan Plan were loaned to Erdos TCH to fund the construction and operation of its waste heat power generation projects. To guarantee the repayment of the loans, Erdos TCH provided a lien on its equipment, assets and accounts receivable. Xi’an TCH and Mr. Guohua Ku, our CEO, the Chairman of our Board of Directors and a major shareholder, provided unconditional and irrevocable joint liability guarantees for Erdos TCH’s performance under the Agreement. Erdos (the minority shareholder and customer of Erdos TCH) provided a commitment letter on minimum power purchase from Erdos TCH. The carrying value of the trust loans approximates the fair value, because we believe that we could obtain similar trust loans at December 31, 2011 for the same purpose of usage on comparable interest rates and terms. In addition, in connection with the fair value measurement, we considered nonperformance risk (including credit risk), including the following: (i) we are considered a low credit risk customer to the lending bank and our creditors; (ii) we have a good history of making timely payments and have never defaulted on any loans; and (iii) we have a stable and continuous cash inflow from collections from our sales-type lease of energy saving projects to make repayment. Sale-Leaseback Transaction of $5.00 Million We recorded the sale-lease back transaction at fair value, which is the present value of the total future cash outflow including principal and interest payments. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company did not identify any assets and liabilities that are required to be presented on the balance sheet at fair value. Stock Based Compensation The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 718 and 505). The Company recognizes in its statement of operations the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees and non-employees. Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share The Company presents net income (loss) per share (“EPS”) in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 740). Accordingly, basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing income (loss) available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding, without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding as well as common share equivalents outstanding for the period determined using the treasury-stock method for stock options and warrants and the if-converted method for convertible notes. The Company made an accounting policy election to use the if-converted method for convertible securities that are eligible to receive common stock dividends, if declared. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur based on the exercise of stock options or warrants or conversion of convertible securities using the if-converted method. The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
The following table presents a reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share for years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:
|  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |
Net income for common shares |  | $ | 18,639,995 |  |  | $ | 18,842,481 |
Interest accrued on convertible notes* |  |  | 168,000 |  |  |  | 496,805 |
Net income for diluted shares |  | $ | 18,807,995 |  |  | $ | 19,339,286 |
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic |  |  | 42,454,304 |  |  |  | 38,837,656 |
Effect of dilutive securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Convertible notes |  |  | 11,976,692 |  |  |  | 10,065,630 |
Options granted |  |  | 1,612,614 |  |  |  | 2,282,674 |
Warrants granted |  |  | 11,780 |  |  |  | 110,933 |
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted |  |  | 56,055,390 |  |  |  | 51,296,893 |
Earnings (loss) per share – basic |  | $ | 0.44 |  |  | $ | 0.49 |
Earnings (loss) per share – diluted |  | $ | 0.34 |  |  | $ | 0.38 |
| * | Interest expense on convertible notes was added back to net income for the computation of diluted earnings per share.
Foreign Currency Translation and Comprehensive Income (Loss) The Company’s functional currency is the Renminbi (“RMB”). For financial reporting purposes, RMB were translated into United States Dollars (“USD” or “$”) as the reporting currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rate of exchange prevailing during the reporting period. Translation adjustments arising from the use of different exchange rates from period to period are included as a component of stockholders’ equity as “Accumulated other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in income. There was no significant fluctuation in the exchange rate for the conversion of RMB to USD after the balance sheet date. The Company uses SFAS 130 “Reporting Comprehensive Income” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 220). Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and all changes to the statements of stockholders’ equity, except those due to investments by stockholders, changes in paid-in capital and distributions to stockholders. Segment Reporting SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information” (codified in FASB ASC Topic 280) requires use of the “management approach” model for segment reporting. The management approach model is based on the way a company’s management organizes segments within the company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure, or any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. SFAS 131 has no effect on the Company’s financial statements as substantially all of the Company’s operations are conducted in one industry segment. All of the Company’s assets are located in the PRC. Registration Rights Agreement The Company accounts for payment arrangements under a registration rights agreement in accordance with ASC Topic 825, “Financial Instruments,” which requires the contingent obligation to make future payments or otherwise transfer consideration under a registration payment arrangement, whether issued as a separate agreement or included as a provision of a financial instrument or other agreement, be separately recognized and measured in accordance with ASC Topic 450, “Contingencies,” (see Note 14, Registration Rights Agreement for Convertible Note). Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the manner of presentation in the current period. The Company reclassified rental deposits of $286,892 from accrued liabilities to non-current liabilities and interest payable of $11,922 from current convertible notes to accrued interest on long term convertible notes for the year ended December 31, 2011. New Accounting Pronouncements In May 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (ASC Topic 820), to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that the fair value measurement and disclosure requirements are similar between GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2011-04 changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements. The provisions of this new guidance are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In June 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (ASC Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. Under the amendments in this update, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under both options, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income and a total amount for comprehensive income. In a single continuous statement, the entity is required to present the components of net income and total net income, the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with the total of comprehensive income in that statement. In the two-statement approach, an entity is required to present components of net income and total net income in the statement of net income. The statement of other comprehensive income should immediately follow the statement of net income and include the components of other comprehensive income and a total for other comprehensive income, along with a total for comprehensive income. In addition, the entity is required to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement(s) where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented. The amendments in this update should be applied retrospectively and are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have on its financial statements. In September 2011, FASB has issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. ASU 2011-08 is intended to simplify how entities, both public and nonpublic, test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is "more likely than not" that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50%. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently assessing the effect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have on its financial statements.

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