Sunnova Reports Third Quarter 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Sunnova reported its third-quarter 2024 financial results, highlighting a 19% revenue increase to $235.3 million compared to Q3 2023. The company maintained its cash generation guidance of $100 million for 2024, $350 million for 2025, and $400 million for 2026. Sunnova's cumulative solar power generation under management reached 2.9 gigawatts, and energy storage under management increased to 1,556 megawatt hours as of September 30, 2024. Customer agreements and incentives revenue, core to Sunnova's operations, rose by 46% to $49.3 million. However, solar energy system and product sales revenue decreased by 14% due to strategic shifts. Costs related to customer agreements increased by 40%, primarily due to higher depreciation costs. Despite these increases, Sunnova faces challenges with rising operations and maintenance expenses, including non-recoverable costs from terminated dealers and higher interest expenses.

Positive

• Revenue increased by 19% to $235.3 million.
• Customer agreements and incentives revenue rose by 46% to $49.3 million.
• Cash sales revenue increased by 55%.

Negative

• Solar energy system and product sales revenue decreased by 14%.
• Operations and maintenance expenses increased by 92%.
• Interest expense increased by 217%.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The Q3 results show mixed signals for Sunnova. While core customer agreements and incentives revenue increased by 46% year-over-year, driven by a 37% increase in PPA and lease systems, several concerning trends emerged. Operating costs rose significantly, with operations and maintenance expenses jumping 92%, including $13.2 million in non-recoverable costs from terminated dealers. Interest expenses surged 217% due to higher debt levels and increased rates.

The company maintains its cash generation guidance of $100 million for 2024, despite Q3's declining unrestricted cash balance. The increasing ITC rate (reaching 42.2% in October) and growing virtual power plant network provide potential upside, but rising costs and operational challenges need careful monitoring.

Energy Infrastructure Analyst

Sunnova's operational metrics show promising growth with total power generation under management reaching 2.9 gigawatts and storage capacity at 1,556 megawatt hours. The battery attachment rate increased from 33% to 40% year-over-year, indicating strong adoption of integrated energy solutions. However, changes in service methodology and dealer terminations suggest operational execution challenges.

The shift toward domestic content bonus credits could pressure near-term margins but positions the company well for long-term incentives. The vulnerable power grid and rising utility prices create favorable market conditions, though higher insurance costs and operational expenses need to be managed effectively.

Third Quarter 2024 and Recent Highlights

• Cash generation guidance of $100 million for 2024, $350 million for 2025, and $400 million for 2026 maintained
• Revenue of $235.3 million increased 19% from the third quarter of 2023
• Monthly weighted average investment tax credit rate on origination of 40.7% in September 2024, increased to 42.2% in October 2024
• Total cumulative solar power generation under management increased to 2.9 gigawatts and megawatt hours of energy storage under management increased to 1,556 as of September 30, 2024

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Sunnova Energy International Inc. ("Sunnova") (NYSE: NOVA), a leading adaptive energy services company, today announced financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

“In the third quarter, the Sunnova team delivered solid results as we continued to focus on the key priorities we outlined at the beginning of fiscal year 2024, mainly aimed at driving cash generation,” said William J. (John) Berger, Sunnova's founder and CEO. “Although our unrestricted cash balance declined in the third quarter, it was largely due to working capital seasonality. With the tax capital proceeds received in early October and additional asset-level capital proceeds expected later in the year, we remain confident in our ability to deliver on our $100 million cash generation target for 2024."

Berger continued, “Looking ahead, we expect our working capital needs to ease, additional asset-level capital to close, and an increase in the number of assets placed in service. These factors, coupled with recent increases in our weighted average investment tax credit rate, cost reductions, increasing levered cash flows from our large, long-term contracted cash flow base, and growth of our virtual power plant network, position Sunnova for multi-year cash generation. These company fundamentals are supported by the current macroeconomic environment, where we see growing power demand and utility pricing, declining equipment costs, and an increasingly vulnerable power grid - all providing Sunnova with the opportunity to offer consumers an attractive energy solution, while creating long-term incremental value for our stakeholders."

Third Quarter 2024 Results - Three Months Ended

Customer agreements and incentives revenue, which is core to our business operations, increased by $49.3 million (+46%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in the number of solar energy systems in service. The fluctuations in revenue per weighted average system are affected by (a) market factors, (b) weather seasonality, (c) system sizes and (d) whether the systems include storage. PPA and lease revenue are generated from the solar energy systems and energy storage systems we own. The weighted average number of PPA and lease systems increased from 173,500 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 238,400 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 (+37%). PPA and lease revenue, on a weighted average number of systems basis, increased from $440 per system for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to $496 per system for the same period in 2024 (+13%) primarily due to slightly larger average system sizes and higher battery attachment rates, which increased from 33% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 40% for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Solar energy system and product sales revenue decreased by $12.5 million (-14%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to decreases in inventory sales revenue, which is non-core to our business operations, and direct sales revenue, partially offset by an increase in cash sales revenue. Inventory sales revenue decreased by $22.6 million (-44%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to our strategic focus to shift away from buying inventory to resell to our dealers or other parties in order to focus on our core business of providing energy services to our customers. Direct sales revenue decreased by $3.2 million (-22%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a decrease in the number of direct sales battery loans installed and placed in service in 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023. This decrease is primarily due to a change to our in-service methodology in mid-2024 to require additional procedures; thus, these projects now take longer to be placed in service. Cash sales revenue increased by $13.3 million (+55%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. On a per customer basis, cash sales revenue increased from $14,285 per customer for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to $25,061 per customer for the same period in 2024 (+75%) primarily due to larger system sizes with more storage included and thus, higher revenue (and higher associated costs).

Cost of revenue—customer agreements and incentives, which is core to our business operations, increased by $15.6 million (+40%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in depreciation related to solar energy systems and energy storage systems, which increased by $15.3 million (+45%). This increase is aligned with the related revenue discussed above, which increased by 55%, and is primarily due to an increase in the weighted average number of PPA and lease systems from 173,500 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to 238,400 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 (+37%). On a weighted average number of systems basis, depreciation related to solar energy systems and energy storage systems increased from $194 per system for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to $206 per system for the same period in 2024 (+6%). This overall increase is primarily due to a higher percentage of solar energy systems with storage, higher average costs and slightly larger average system sizes.

Cost of revenue related to service customers, loan agreements and underwriting costs (such as credit checks, title searches and the amortization of UCC filing costs) for new customers and solar energy systems increased by $0.3 million (+5%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in costs related to SRECs and loan agreements combined of $2.3 million, partially offset by a decrease of $2.0 million in internal labor costs to perform maintenance services in-house for third party contracts due to lower activity.

Cost of revenue—solar energy system and product sales decreased by $9.6 million (-13%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a decrease in inventory sales costs, which is non-core to our business operations, partially offset by increases in costs related to our core business, which includes direct sales costs and cash sales costs. Inventory sales costs decreased by $23.0 million (-45%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to our strategic focus to shift away from buying inventory to resell to our dealers or other parties in order to focus on our core business of providing energy services to our customers. Cash sales costs increased by $9.5 million (+75%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. On a per customer basis, cash sales costs increased from $7,469 per customer for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to $14,825 per customer for the same period in 2024 (+98%) primarily due to larger system sizes with more storage included and thus, higher costs. Direct sales costs increased by $3.7 million (+29%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in solar energy systems and energy storage systems installed, which have a higher cost basis than the battery loans we principally sold in 2023.

Operations and maintenance expense increased by $17.2 million (+92%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to charges recognized for non-recoverable costs from terminated dealers of $13.2 million. We recognized impairments on costs paid to certain terminated dealers for work-in-progress solar energy systems and energy storage systems that have cancelled or are estimated to cancel and are not expected to be recovered, along with unearned portions of exclusivity and bonus payments tied to such dealers, which we estimate are not recoverable. We may continue to incur charges of this nature. The increase is also due to an increase in property insurance costs of $1.2 million (+42%) due to more assets to insure and an increase in overall premium costs and an increase in inventory-related impairments of $0.5 million. We consider the inventory-related impairments of $6.9 million and $6.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, to be non-core in nature and do not expect these types of impairments in the future to be as significant due to our shift in strategic focus in the latter half of 2023 to pivot away from buying inventory to resell in order to focus on our core business of providing energy services to our customers. In addition, beginning in September 2024, we expect a majority of our future originations to qualify for the domestic content bonus credits and some of our inventory is not compatible with that directive. While we could use the equipment on loans, we do not expect sufficient loan origination volume to utilize all inventory, which resulted in a $6.9 million write-down in the third quarter of 2024. While we are not abandoning the inventory and will look for ways to realize value, at this juncture, we believe a full impairment is appropriate.

General and administrative expense increased by $10.3 million (+10%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, which is reflective of our commitment to proactively expand our platform to serve a consistently growing base of customers and other stakeholders. Payroll and employee related expenses increased by $6.8 million (+14%) primarily due to the additional employees we hired to serve our growing customer base. Total head count increased 9% in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 positioning us to scale our costs in future periods when we expect we can reduce the expense on a per-system basis. Payroll and employee-related expenses for employees not related to the operations and maintenance work for our customers increased by $8.9 million (+26%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. Legal, insurance, office and business travel costs increased by $1.3 million (+14%) and consultants, contractors and professional fees increased by $0.6 million (+6%) both due to the growth in our customers. Depreciation expense not related to solar energy systems and energy storage systems increased by $4.2 million (+66%) primarily related to our software and business technology projects, for which depreciation on those assets increased by $4.0 million (+70%) primarily due to an additional $52.9 million of capitalized software and business technology projects being placed in service during the prior twelve months.

The provision for current expected credit losses decreased by $13.3 million (-38%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a lower volume of loan originations in 2024 compared to 2023 and the sale of certain accessory loans in 2024.

Other operating income decreased by $6.2 million (-69%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to changes in the fair value of certain financial instruments and contingent consideration of $6.8 million.

Interest expense, net increased by $124.9 million (+217%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to increases in unrealized loss on derivatives of $84.9 million and interest expense of $31.2 million. Interest expense increased due to higher levels of average debt outstanding in the three months ended September 30, 2024 by $1.4 billion (+21%) compared to the same period in 2023 and an increase in the weighted average interest rates by 0.49% (+10%).

Interest income increased by $8.0 million (+26%) in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to an increase in interest income from our loan agreements of $6.4 million (+24%). The weighted average number of systems with loan agreements, including accessory loans, decreased from approximately 133,300 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to approximately 108,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily due to the sales of certain accessory loans and home improvement loans during the second quarter of 2024, which had smaller principal balances. On a weighted average number of systems basis, loan interest income increased from $201 per system for the three months ended September 30, 2023 to $307 per system for the three months ended September 30, 2024 primarily due to the sale of certain accessory loans during the second and third quarters of 2024, which generate less interest income than non-accessory loans.

Income tax benefit increased by $36.8 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to ITC sales that resulted in an income tax benefit and income tax benefit related to estimated future sales of ITCs for the current year.

Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests changed by $34.4 million in the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests from tax equity funds added in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In addition to the net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests, accumulated deficit is decreasing and total stockholders' equity is increasing as a result of the equity in subsidiaries attributable to parent. This is a result of solar energy systems being sold to the tax equity partnerships at fair market value, which exceeds the cost reflected in the solar energy systems on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Third Quarter 2024 Results - Nine Months Ended

Customer agreements and incentives, which is core to our business operations, increased by $121.5 million (+43%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in the number of solar energy systems in service. The fluctuations in revenue per weighted average system are affected by (a) market factors, (b) weather seasonality, (c) system sizes and (d) whether the systems include storage. PPA and lease revenue are generated from the solar energy systems and energy storage systems we own. The weighted average number of PPA and lease systems increased from 161,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 222,300 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 (+38%). PPA and lease revenue, on a weighted average number of systems basis, increased from $1,259 per system for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to $1,405 per system for the same period in 2024 (+12%) primarily due to slightly larger average system sizes and higher battery attachment rates, which increased from 27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 32% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Solar energy system and product sales revenue decreased by $32.2 million (-13%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to decreases in inventory sales revenue, which is non-core to our business operations, and direct sales revenue, partially offset by an increase in cash sales revenue that increased due to an increase in customers. Inventory sales revenue decreased by $55.8 million (-41%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to our strategic focus to shift away from buying inventory to resell to our dealers or other parties in order to focus on our core business of providing energy services to our customers. Direct sales revenue decreased by $7.0 million (-16%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a decrease in the number of direct sales battery loans installed and placed in service in 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023. This decrease is primarily due to a change to our in-service methodology in mid-2024 to require additional procedures; thus, these projects now take longer to be placed in service. Cash sales revenue increased by $30.7 million (+49%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in the number of cash sales customers. This increase in customers is primarily due to more cash sales of storage and solar systems in 2024 whereas only solar systems were sold in 2023. The number of cash sales customers increased from 4,100 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 5,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 (+22%). On a per customer basis, cash sales revenue increased from $15,324 per customer for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to $18,705 per customer for the same period in 2024 (+22%) primarily due to larger system sizes with more storage included and thus, higher revenue (and higher associated costs).

Cost of revenue—customer agreements and incentives, which is core to our business operations, increased by $49.1 million (+46%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in depreciation related to solar energy systems and energy storage systems, which increased by $45.4 million (+49%). This increase is aligned with the related revenue discussed above, which increased by 54%, and is primarily due to an increase in the weighted average number of PPA and lease systems from 161,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 222,300 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 (+38%). On a weighted average number of systems basis, depreciation related to solar energy systems and energy storage systems increased from $573 per system for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to $619 per system for the same period in 2024 (+8%). This overall increase is primarily due to a higher percentage of solar energy systems with storage and slightly larger average system sizes.

Cost of revenue related to service customers, loan agreements and underwriting costs (such as credit checks, title searches and the amortization of UCC filing costs) for new customers and solar energy systems increased by $3.7 million (+27%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in costs related to SRECs and loan agreements combined of $3.0 million.

Cost of revenue—solar energy system and product sales decreased by $13.8 million (-7%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a decrease in inventory sales costs, which is non-core to our business operations, partially offset by increases in costs related to our core business, which includes cash sales costs that increased due to an increase in customers and direct sales costs. Inventory sales costs decreased by $49.6 million (-38%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to our strategic focus to shift away from buying inventory to resell to our dealers or other parties in order to focus on our core business of providing energy services to our customers. Cash sales costs increased by $21.5 million (+63%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in the number of cash sales customers. This increase in customers is primarily due to more cash sales of storage and solar systems in 2024 whereas only solar systems were sold in 2023. The number of cash sales customers increased from 4,100 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 5,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 (+22%). On a per customer basis, cash sales costs increased from $8,293 per customer for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to $11,091 per customer for the same period in 2024 (+34%) primarily due to larger system sizes with more storage included and thus, higher costs. Direct sales costs increased by $13.8 million (+42%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase is primarily due to an increase in solar energy systems and energy storage systems installed, which have a higher cost basis than the battery loans we principally sold in 2023.

Operations and maintenance expense increased by $30.5 million (+51%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to charges recognized for non-recoverable costs from terminated dealers of $23.8 million. We recognized impairments on costs paid to certain terminated dealers for work-in-progress solar energy systems and energy storage systems that have cancelled or are estimated to cancel and are not expected to be recovered, along with unearned portions of exclusivity and bonus payments tied to such dealers, which we estimate are not recoverable. We may continue to incur charges of this nature. The increase is also due to (a) charges recognized for non-recoverable prepaid design and engineering costs of $4.0 million, (b) an increase in other impairments of $3.5 million and (c) an increase in property insurance costs of $2.7 million (+34%) due to more assets to insure and an increase in overall premium costs. This increase is partially offset by a decrease in inventory-related impairments of $3.1 million. We consider the inventory-related impairments of $19.0 million and $22.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, to be non-core in nature and do not expect these types of impairments in the future to be as significant due to our shift in strategic focus in the latter half of 2023 to pivot away from buying inventory to resell in order to focus on our core business of providing energy services to our customers. In addition, beginning in September 2024, we expect a majority of our future originations to qualify for the domestic content bonus credits and some of our inventory is not compatible with that directive. While we could use the equipment on loans, we do not expect sufficient loan origination volume to utilize all inventory, which resulted in a $6.9 million write-down in the third quarter of 2024. While we are not abandoning the inventory and will look for ways to realize value, at this juncture, we believe a full impairment is appropriate.

General and administrative expense increased by $60.6 million (+22%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which is reflective of our commitment to proactively expand our platform to serve a consistently growing base of customers and other stakeholders. Payroll and employee related expenses increased by $35.2 million (+26%) primarily due to the additional employees we hired to serve our growing customer base and to perform maintenance services in-house rather than by third parties (which increased by $7.2 million, or 20%) related to maintaining and servicing solar energy systems. We believe expanding our team in this area will position us to reduce third-party expense that supports our core business. Total head count increased 46% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 positioning us to scale our costs in future periods when we expect we can reduce the expense on a per-system basis. Payroll and employee-related expenses for employees not related to the operations and maintenance work for our customers increased by $28.0 million (+28%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Consultants, contractors and professional fees increased by $7.0 million (+25%), software and business technology expense increased by $5.8 million (+32%), and legal, insurance, office and business travel costs increased by $1.4 million (+5%) all due to the growth in our customers. Depreciation expense not related to solar energy systems and energy storage systems increased by $12.8 million (+81%) primarily related to our software and business technology projects, for which depreciation on those assets increased by $12.2 million (+88%) primarily due to an additional $52.9 million of capitalized software and business technology projects being placed in service during the prior twelve months.

The provision for current expected credit losses decreased by $13.3 million (-38%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a lower volume of loan originations in 2024 compared to 2023 and the sale of certain accessory loans in 2024.

Other operating (income) expense changed by $25.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to a loss on sales of customer notes receivable of $43.4 million (which did not occur until the second quarter of 2024), partially offset by changes in the fair value of certain financial instruments and contingent consideration of $17.1 million.

Interest expense, net increased by $188.5 million (+94%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to increases in (a) interest expense of $111.0 million primarily due to higher levels of average debt outstanding in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 by $1.8 billion (+28%) compared to the same period in 2023 and an increase in the weighted average interest rates by 0.79% (+17%), (b) unrealized loss on derivatives of $72.0 million, (c) amortization of deferred financing costs of $10.8 million and (d) amortization of debt discounts of $8.4 million, partially offset by an increase in realized gains on derivatives of $18.3 million.

Interest income increased by $28.0 million (+34%) in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023. This increase was primarily due to an increase in interest income from our loan agreements of $24.8 million (+35%). The weighted average number of systems with loan agreements, including accessory loans, increased from approximately 110,500 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to approximately 135,200 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024. On a weighted average number of systems basis, loan interest income increased from $633 per system for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to $701 per system for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 primarily due to the sale of certain accessory loans during the second and third quarters of 2024, which generate less interest income than non-accessory loans.

Income tax benefit increased by $157.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to ITC sales that resulted in an income tax benefit and income tax benefit related to estimated future sales of ITCs for the current year

Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests increased by $57.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to an increase in loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests from tax equity funds added in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In addition to the net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests, accumulated deficit is decreasing and total stockholders' equity is increasing as a result of the equity in subsidiaries attributable to parent. This is a result of solar energy systems being sold to the tax equity partnerships at fair market value, which exceeds the cost reflected in the solar energy systems on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Liquidity & Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2024, we had total cash on the balance sheet of $473.9 million, of which $208.9 million was unrestricted cash, and $1.0 billion of available borrowing capacity under our various debt financing arrangements. As of September 30, 2024, we also had undrawn committed capital of approximately $221.9 million under our tax equity funds, which may only be used to purchase and install solar energy systems.

Conference Call Information

Sunnova is hosting a conference call for analysts and investors to discuss its third quarter 2024 results at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time, on October 31, 2024. The conference call can be accessed live over the phone by dialing 833-470-1428 or 404-975-4839. The access code for the live call is 433996.

A replay will be available two hours after the call and can be accessed by dialing 866-813-9403 or 929-458-6194. The access code for the replay is 346098. The replay will be available until November 7, 2024.

Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the Investor Relations section of Sunnova’s website.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or Sunnova’s future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "going to," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern Sunnova’s expectations, strategy, priorities, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our level of growth, customer value propositions, technological developments, service levels, the ability to achieve our operational and financial targets, operating performance, including our outlook and guidance, demand for Sunnova’s products and services, future financing and ability to raise capital therefrom, and liquidity forecasts. Sunnova’s expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including risks regarding our ability to forecast our business due to fluctuations in the solar and home-building markets, availability of capital, supply chain uncertainties, results of operations and financial position, our competition, changes in regulations applicable to our business, and our ability to attract and retain dealers and customers and manage our dealer and strategic partner relationships. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in Sunnova’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Sunnova’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to Sunnova as of the date hereof, and Sunnova disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

About Sunnova

Sunnova Energy International Inc. (NYSE: NOVA) is an industry-leading adaptive energy services company focused on making clean energy more accessible, reliable, and affordable for homeowners and businesses. Through its adaptive energy platform, Sunnova provides a better energy service at a better price to deliver its mission of powering energy independence. For more information, visit sunnova.com.

SUNNOVA ENERGY INTERNATIONAL INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share amounts and share par values)
	As of September 30, 2024				As of December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	208,913			$	212,832
Accounts receivable—trade, net		46,416				40,767
Accounts receivable—other		257,733				253,350
Other current assets, net of allowance of $5,193 and $4,659 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		401,530				429,299
Total current assets		914,592				936,248
Property and equipment, net		6,980,352				5,638,794
Customer notes receivable, net of allowance of $124,634 and $111,818 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively		3,930,847				3,735,986
Intangible assets, net		112,322				134,058
Other assets		944,199				895,885
Total assets (1)	$	12,882,312			$	11,340,971
Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	484,252			$	355,791
Accrued expenses		96,990				122,355
Current portion of long-term debt		324,748				483,497
Other current liabilities		153,036				133,649
Total current liabilities		1,059,026				1,095,292
Long-term debt, net		7,908,860				7,030,756
Other long-term liabilities		1,230,979				1,086,011
Total liabilities (1)		10,198,865				9,212,059
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		256,440				165,872
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, 124,923,776 and 122,466,515 shares issued as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, at $0.0001 par value		12				12
Additional paid-in capital—common stock		1,780,464				1,755,461
Accumulated deficit		(1,573	)			(228,583	)
Total stockholders' equity		1,778,903				1,526,890
Noncontrolling interests		648,104				436,150
Total equity		2,427,007				1,963,040
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	$	12,882,312			$	11,340,971

(1) The consolidated assets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 include $6,741,429 and $5,297,816, respectively, of assets of variable interest entities ("VIEs") that can only be used to settle obligations of the VIEs. These assets include cash of $91,642 and $54,674 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; accounts receivable—trade, net of $22,242 and $13,860 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; accounts receivable—other of $213,340 and $187,607 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; other current assets of $745,644 and $693,772 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; property and equipment, net of $5,527,005 and $4,273,478 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; and other assets of $141,556 and $74,425 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The consolidated liabilities as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 include $312,125 and $278,016, respectively, of liabilities of VIEs whose creditors have no recourse to Sunnova Energy International Inc. These liabilities include accounts payable of $199,638 and $197,072 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; accrued expenses of $967 and $157 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; other current liabilities of $5,726 and $7,269 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; and other long-term liabilities of $105,794 and $73,518 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.

SUNNOVA ENERGY INTERNATIONAL INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Revenue:
Customer agreements and incentives	$	157,538			$	108,192			$	404,348			$	282,848
Solar energy system and product sales		77,756				90,206				211,447				243,623
Total revenue		235,294				198,398				615,795				526,471
Operating expense:
Cost of revenue—customer agreements and incentives		54,722				39,130				155,064				105,956
Cost of revenue—solar energy system and product sales		66,679				76,288				183,111				196,921
Operations and maintenance		35,868				18,702				89,811				59,306
General and administrative		110,678				100,342				339,692				279,105
Provision for current expected credit losses and other bad debt expense		22,646				11,203				21,738				35,085
Other operating (income) expense		(2,812	)			(9,051	)			22,016				(3,134	)
Total operating expense, net		287,781				236,614				811,432				673,239
Operating loss		(52,487	)			(38,216	)			(195,637	)			(146,768	)
Interest expense, net		182,528				57,601				388,642				200,155
Interest income		(38,565	)			(30,590	)			(109,656	)			(81,670	)
Other expense		—				561				4,882				3,969
Loss before income tax		(196,450	)			(65,788	)			(479,505	)			(269,222	)
Income tax benefit		(46,126	)			(9,325	)			(159,413	)			(1,632	)
Net loss		(150,324	)			(56,463	)			(320,092	)			(267,590	)
Net income (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests		(27,735	)			6,684				(94,490	)			(37,269	)
Net loss attributable to stockholders	$	(122,589	)		$	(63,147	)		$	(225,602	)		$	(230,321	)
Net loss per share attributable to stockholders—basic and diluted	$	(0.98	)		$	(0.53	)		$	(1.82	)		$	(1.97	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic and diluted		124,852,073				119,554,008				123,998,539				116,971,318

SUNNOVA ENERGY INTERNATIONAL INC. UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024				2023
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss	$	(320,092	)		$	(267,590	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation		166,088				107,957
Impairment and loss on disposals, net		53,101				24,930
Amortization of intangible assets		21,324				21,324
Amortization of deferred financing costs		27,764				17,007
Amortization of debt discount		21,365				12,971
Non-cash effect of equity-based compensation plans		25,113				19,812
Non-cash direct sales revenue		(36,012	)			(43,034	)
Provision for current expected credit losses and other bad debt expense		21,738				35,085
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives		61,820				(10,208	)
Unrealized (gain) loss on fair value instruments and equity securities		(15,363	)			846
Loss on sales of customer notes receivable		43,426				—
Other non-cash items		(24,051	)			2,633
Changes in components of operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		29,485				99,753
Other current assets		(114,339	)			(77,976	)
Other assets		(100,706	)			(95,321	)
Accounts payable		12,829				(6,711	)
Accrued expenses		(22,790	)			(35,193	)
Other current liabilities		(87,800	)			9,604
Other long-term liabilities		(2,881	)			(10,680	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(239,981	)			(194,791	)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment		(1,329,197	)			(1,315,192	)
Payments for investments and customer notes receivable		(269,903	)			(716,972	)
Proceeds from customer notes receivable		166,598				126,980
Proceeds from sales of customer notes receivable		65,867				—
Proceeds from investments in solar receivables		9,273				8,708
Other, net		4,642				4,707
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,352,720	)			(1,891,769	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from long-term debt		2,007,524				2,859,489
Payments of long-term debt		(1,291,587	)			(1,090,338	)
Payments on notes payable		(6,402	)			(4,356	)
Payments of deferred financing costs		(38,954	)			(60,336	)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net		(1,882	)			81,329
Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests		976,379				520,611
Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests		(366,402	)			(30,159	)
Payments of costs related to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests		(21,572	)			(8,475	)
Proceeds from sales of investment tax credits for redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests		316,392				4,950
Other, net		(1,272	)			(6,662	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		1,572,224				2,266,053
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash		(20,477	)			179,493
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		494,402				545,574
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		473,925				725,067
Restricted cash included in other current assets		(10,186	)			(30,307	)
Restricted cash included in other assets		(254,826	)			(226,858	)
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	208,913			$	467,902

Key Operational Metrics
Supplemental Items	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
	(in thousands)
Net loss	$	(150,324	)		$	(56,463	)		$	(320,092	)		$	(267,590	)
Interest expense, net	$	182,528			$	57,601			$	388,642			$	200,155
Interest income	$	(38,565	)		$	(30,590	)		$	(109,656	)		$	(81,670	)
Income tax (benefit) expense	$	(46,126	)		$	(9,325	)		$	(159,413	)		$	(1,632	)
Depreciation expense	$	59,540			$	40,082			$	166,088			$	107,957
Amortization expense	$	7,620			$	7,416			$	22,726			$	22,112
Non-cash compensation expense	$	6,702			$	5,494			$	25,113			$	19,812
ARO accretion expense	$	1,724			$	1,257			$	4,812			$	3,491
Non-cash disaster (gains) losses	$	(519	)		$	—			$	(3,094	)		$	3,400
Unrealized (gain) loss on fair value instruments and equity securities	$	(2,240	)		$	(8,482	)		$	(15,363	)		$	846
Amortization of payments to dealers for exclusivity and other bonus arrangements	$	2,255			$	1,996			$	6,274			$	4,957
Provision for current expected credit losses	$	19,186			$	8,360			$	14,498			$	29,467
Non-cash impairments	$	20,448			$	6,443			$	46,800			$	22,106
ITC sales	$	140,547			$	14,422			$	374,639			$	14,422
Loss on sales of non-core customer notes receivable	$	—			$	—			$	23,962			$	—
Other, net	$	—			$	2,200			$	—			$	5,210
Interest income	$	38,565			$	30,590			$	109,656			$	81,670
Principal proceeds from customer notes receivable, net of related revenue	$	40,024			$	36,966			$	131,706			$	102,914
Proceeds from investments in solar receivables	$	3,719			$	3,779			$	9,273			$	8,708

Supplemental Expense Items	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
	(in thousands)
Total operating expense, net	$	287,781			$	236,614			$	811,432			$	673,239
Depreciation expense	$	(59,540	)		$	(40,082	)		$	(166,088	)		$	(107,957	)
Amortization expense	$	(7,620	)		$	(7,416	)		$	(22,726	)		$	(22,112	)
Non-cash compensation expense	$	(6,702	)		$	(5,494	)		$	(25,113	)		$	(19,812	)
ARO accretion expense	$	(1,724	)		$	(1,257	)		$	(4,812	)		$	(3,491	)
Non-cash disaster gains (losses)	$	519			$	—			$	3,094			$	(3,400	)
Amortization of payments to dealers for exclusivity and other bonus arrangements	$	(2,255	)		$	(1,996	)		$	(6,274	)		$	(4,957	)
Provision for current expected credit losses	$	(19,186	)		$	(8,360	)		$	(14,498	)		$	(29,467	)
Non-cash impairments	$	(20,448	)		$	(6,443	)		$	(46,800	)		$	(22,106	)
Cost of revenue related to direct sales	$	(16,357	)		$	(12,635	)		$	(46,978	)		$	(33,199	)
Cost of revenue related to cash sales	$	(22,238	)		$	(12,698	)		$	(55,457	)		$	(34,001	)
Cost of revenue related to inventory sales	$	(27,719	)		$	(50,694	)		$	(79,442	)		$	(129,016	)
Unrealized loss on fair value instruments	$	2,239			$	9,043			$	20,244			$	3,123
Gain on held-for-sale loans	$	—			$	8			$	37			$	11
Loss on sales of customer notes receivable	$	(603	)		$	—			$	(43,426	)		$	—
Other, net	$	—			$	(2,200	)		$	—			$	(5,210	)

	As of September 30, 2024		As of December 31, 2023
Number of customers	422,700		419,200

	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Weighted average number of systems, excluding loan agreements and cash sales	290,900		225,200		274,400		210,900
Weighted average number of systems with loan agreements plus accessory loans	108,000		133,300		135,200		110,500
Weighted average number of systems with cash sales	16,700		10,000		15,200		8,600
Weighted average number of systems	415,600		368,500		424,800		330,000

Key Terms for Our Key Metrics

Number of Customers. We define number of customers to include every unique premises on which a Sunnova product or Sunnova-financed product is installed or on which Sunnova is obligated to perform services for a counterparty. We track the total number of customers as an indicator of our historical growth and our rate of growth from period to period.

Weighted Average Number of Systems. We calculate the weighted average number of systems based on the number of months a customer and any additional service obligation related to a solar energy system is in-service during a given measurement period. The weighted average number of systems reflects the number of systems at the beginning of a period, plus the total number of new systems added in the period adjusted by a factor that accounts for the partial period nature of those new systems. For purposes of this calculation, we assume all new systems added during a month were added in the middle of that month. The number of systems for any end of period will exceed the number of customers, as defined above, for that same end of period as we are also including any additional services and/or contracts a customer or third party executed for the additional work for the same residence or business. We track the weighted average system count in order to accurately reflect the contribution of the appropriate number of systems to key financial metrics over the measurement period.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241030464218/en/

Investor Contact:

Rodney McMahan

IR@sunnova.com

281-971-3323



Media Contact:

Russell Wilkerson

Russell.Wilkerson@sunnova.com

203-581-2114

Source: Sunnova Energy International Inc.

FAQ

What were Sunnova's third-quarter 2024 earnings?

Sunnova reported a revenue increase of 19% to $235.3 million for the third quarter of 2024.

What is Sunnova's cash generation guidance for 2024?

Sunnova maintained its cash generation guidance of $100 million for 2024.

How did Sunnova's customer agreements and incentives revenue perform in Q3 2024?

Customer agreements and incentives revenue increased by 46% to $49.3 million in Q3 2024.

What was the performance of Sunnova's solar energy system and product sales revenue in Q3 2024?

Solar energy system and product sales revenue decreased by 14% in Q3 2024.

What were the key highlights of Sunnova's Q3 2024 financial results?

Key highlights include a 19% revenue increase to $235.3 million, a 46% rise in customer agreements and incentives revenue, and a 14% decrease in solar energy system and product sales revenue.