Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)

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Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all information and notes necessary for a complete presentation of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. We filed audited financial statements which included all information and notes necessary for such presentation for the two years ended December 31, 2012 in conjunction with our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K, or our Annual Report, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 27, 2013. This form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with that Form 10-K.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations and statements of cash flows reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring items) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position at June 30, 2013, and of operations and cash flows for the interim periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

The results of operations for the interim periods ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its 63.7% owned subsidiary Ilios, whose business focus is on advanced heating systems for commercial and industrial applications.
 
The Company’s operations are comprised of one business segment. Our business is to manufacture and support highly efficient CHP products based on engines fueled by natural gas.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Generally, sales of cogeneration and chiller units and parts are recognized when shipped and services are recognized over the term of the service period. Payments received in advance of services being performed are recorded as deferred revenue.
 
Infrequently, the Company recognizes revenue in certain circumstances before delivery has occurred (commonly referred to as bill and hold transactions). In such circumstances, among other things, risk of ownership has passed to the buyer, the buyer has made a written fixed commitment to purchase the finished goods, the buyer has requested the finished goods be held for future delivery as scheduled and designated by them, and no additional performance obligations exist by the Company.  For these transactions, the finished goods are segregated from inventory and normal billing and credit terms are granted.  For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 no revenues were recorded as bill and hold transactions.
 
For those arrangements that include multiple deliverables, the Company first determines whether each service or deliverable meets the separation criteria of FASB ASC 605-25, Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Element Arrangements. In general, a deliverable (or a group of deliverables) meets the separation criteria if the deliverable has stand-alone value to the customer and if the arrangement includes a general right of return related to the delivered item and delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) is considered probable and substantially in control of the Company. Each deliverable that meets the separation criteria is considered a separate ‘‘unit of accounting”. The Company allocates the total arrangement consideration to each unit of accounting using the relative fair value method. The amount of arrangement consideration that is allocated to a delivered unit of accounting is limited to the amount that is not contingent upon the delivery of another unit of accounting.
 
When vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence is not available, adopting the relative fair value method of allocation permits the Company to recognize revenue on specific elements as completed based on the estimated selling price. The Company generally uses internal pricing lists that determine sales prices to external customers in determining its best estimate of the selling price of the various deliverables in multiple-element arrangements. Changes in judgments made in estimating the selling price of the various deliverables could significantly affect the timing or amount of revenue recognition. The Company enters into sales arrangements with customers to sell its cogeneration and chiller units and related service contracts and occasionally installation services. Based on the fact that the Company sells each deliverable to other customers on a stand-alone basis, the company has determined that each deliverable has a stand-alone value. Additionally, there are no rights of return relative to the delivered items; therefore, each deliverable is considered a separate unit of accounting. 
 
After the arrangement consideration has been allocated to each unit of accounting, the Company applies the appropriate revenue recognition method for each unit of accounting based on the nature of the arrangement and the services included in each unit of accounting. Cogeneration and chiller units are recognized when shipped and services are recognized over the term of the applicable agreement, or as provided when on a time and materials basis.

In some cases, our customers may choose to have the Company engineer and install the system for them rather than simply purchase the cogeneration and/or chiller units. In this case, the Company accounts for revenue, or turnkey revenue, and costs using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. Under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, revenues are recognized by applying percentages of completion to the total estimated revenues for the respective contracts. Costs are recognized as incurred. The percentages of completion are determined by relating the actual cost of work performed to date to the current estimated total cost at completion of the respective contracts. When the estimate on a contract indicates a loss, the Company’s policy is to record the entire expected loss, regardless of the percentage of completion. During the six months ended June 30, 2013 a loss of approximately $300,000 was recorded. The excess of contract costs and profit recognized to date on the percentage-of-completion accounting method in excess of billings is recorded as unbilled revenue. Billings in excess of related costs and estimated earnings is recorded as deferred revenue.
Sales Tax
Presentation of Sales Taxes
 
The Company reports revenues net of any revenue-based taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transactions.
Shipping and Handling Costs
Shipping and Handling Costs
 
The Company classifies freight billed to customers as sales revenue and the related freight costs as cost of sales.
Advertising Costs
Advertising Costs
 
The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, advertising expense was approximately $42,000 and $70,000, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity date, at date of purchase, of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. The Company has cash balances in certain financial institutions in amounts which occasionally exceed current federal deposit insurance limits. The financial stability of these institutions is continually reviewed by senior management. The Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration of Credit Risk
 
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. The Company's cash equivalents are placed with certain financial institutions and issuers. As of June 30, 2013, the Company had a balance of $19,817 in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments that exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (“FDIC”) general deposit insurance limit of $250,000.
Short-Term Investments
Short-Term Investments
 
Short-term investments consist of certificates of deposit with maturities of greater than three months but less than one year. Certificates of deposits are recorded at fair value.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable
 
Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. An allowance for doubtful accounts is provided for those accounts receivable considered to be uncollectible based upon historical experience and management’s evaluation of outstanding accounts receivable at the end of the year. Bad debts are written off against the allowance when identified. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 the allowance for doubtful accounts was $119,700 and $154,400, respectively.
Inventory
Inventory
 
Raw materials, work in process, and finished goods inventories are stated at the lower of cost, as determined by the average cost method, or net realizable value. The Company periodically reviews inventory quantities on hand for excess and/or obsolete inventory based primarily on historical usage, as well as based on estimated forecast of product demand. Any reserves that result from this review are charged to cost of sales.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
 
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the asset, which range from three to fifteen years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the term of the related leases. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed currently, while renewals and betterments that materially extend the life of an asset are capitalized.
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets

Intangible assets subject to amortization include costs incurred by the Company to acquire developed technology discussed in Note 10, product certifications and certain patent costs. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated economic life of the intangible asset. The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment when the circumstances warrant.
Research and Development Costs
 Research and Development Costs/Grants
 
Internal research and development expenditures are expensed as incurred. Proceeds from certain grants and contracts with governmental agencies and their contractors to conduct research and development for new CHP technologies or to improve or enhance existing technology is recorded as an offset to the related research and development expenses. These grants and contracts are paid on a cost reimbursement basis provided in the agreed upon budget, with 10% retainage held to the end of the contract period. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, amounts received were $106,000 and $81,500, respectively, which offset the Company’s total research and development expenditures for each of the respective periods. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, retainage receivable was $109,221 and $154,700, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation

Stock based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award and is recognized as an expense in the consolidated statements of operations over the requisite service period. The fair value of stock options granted is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing valuation model. The Company recognizes compensation on a straight-line basis for each separately vesting portion of the option award. Use of a valuation model requires management to make certain assumptions with respect to selected model inputs. The determination of the fair value of share-based payment awards is affected by the Company’s stock price. Since the Company is not actively traded, the Company considered the sales price of the Common Stock in private placements to unrelated third parties as a measure of the fair value of its Common Stock. The average expected life is estimated using the simplified method for “plain vanilla” options. The simplified method determines the expected life in years based on the vesting period and contractual terms as set forth when the award is made. The Company uses the simplified method for awards of stock-based compensation since it does not have the necessary historical exercise and forfeiture data to determine an expected life for stock options. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term which approximates the expected life assumed at the date of grant. When options are exercised the Company normally issues new shares (see “Note 4 – Stock-based compensation”.)
Loss per Common Share
Loss per Common Share
 
The Company computes basic loss per share by dividing net loss for the period by the weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. The Company computes its diluted earnings per common share using the treasury stock method. For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, the Company considers its shares issuable in connection with the convertible debentures, stock options and warrants to be dilutive Common Stock equivalents when the exercise/conversion price is less than the average market price of our Common Stock for the period.
Other Comprehensive Net Loss
 Other Comprehensive Net Loss 

The comprehensive net loss for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 does not differ from the reported loss.
Segment Information
Segment Information
 
The Company reports segment data based on the management approach. The management approach designates the internal reporting that is used by management for making operating and investment decisions and evaluating performance as the source of the Company's reportable segments. The Company uses one measurement of profitability and does not disaggregate its business for internal reporting. The Company has determined that it operates in one business segment which manufactures and supports highly efficient CHP products based on engines fueled by natural gas. 

The following table summarizes net revenue by product line and services for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30
2013
 
June 30
2012
 
June 30
2013
 
June 30
2012
Products:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cogeneration
$
457,486

 
$
637,420

 
$
1,735,642

 
$
1,219,670

Chiller
350,368

 
710,299

 
1,124,877

 
1,617,756

Total Product Revenue
807,854

 
1,347,719

 
2,860,519

 
2,837,426

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Services
1,995,606

 
2,037,181

 
3,989,259

 
3,800,002

 
$
2,803,460

 
$
3,384,900

 
$
6,849,778

 
$
6,637,428

Income Taxes
Income Taxes
 
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. The current or deferred tax consequences of transactions are measured by applying the provisions of enacted tax laws to determine the amount of taxes payable currently or in future years. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities and expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Under this method, a valuation allowance is used to offset deferred taxes if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. Management evaluates the recoverability of deferred taxes and the adequacy of the valuation allowance annually.
 
The Company follows the provisions of the accounting standards relative to accounting for uncertainties in tax positions. These provisions provide guidance on the recognition, de-recognition and measurement of potential tax benefits associated with tax positions. The Company elected to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense in the statements of operations. There was no impact on the financial statements as a result of this guidance.