Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies

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Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies
Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies
Description of business
Tecogen Inc. (the “Company”) (a Delaware Corporation) was organized on November 15, 2000, and acquired the assets and liabilities of the Tecogen Products division of Thermo Power Corporation. The Company produces commercial and industrial, natural-gas-fueled engine-driven, combined heat and power (CHP) products that reduce energy costs, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate congestion on the national power grid. The Company’s products supply electric power or mechanical power for cooling, while heat from the engine is recovered and purposefully used at a facility. The majority of the Company’s customers are located in regions with the highest utility rates, typically California, the Midwest and the Northeast. The Company's common stock is listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol TGEN.
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, 2013 in conjunction with our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K, or our Annual Report, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 31, 2014 and amended on April 1, 2014. This form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report.
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, 2014, and of operations and cash flows for the interim periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013. The results of operations for the interim periods ended June 30, 2014 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 65.0% owned subsidiary Ilios, whose business focus is on advanced heating systems for commercial and industrial applications. With the inclusion of unvested restricted stock awards, the Company's owns 63.7% of Ilios. Non controlling interest in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets represents the ownership of minority investors of Ilios.
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
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 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, 2014 and 2013 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, 2014 and 2013, a loss of approximately $217,000 and $300,000 was recorded, respectively. These losses were recorded during the period ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, and have not increased during the current period reported. 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.
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
The Company classifies freight billed to customers as sales revenue and the related freight costs as cost of sales.
Advertising Costs
The Company expenses the costs of advertising as incurred. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, advertising expense was approximately $61,000 and $42,000, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, advertising expense was approximately $13,000 for each period.
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
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, 2014, the Company had a balance of $3,684,822 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, restricted
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 and restricted as collateral to the Company's performance bonds.
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, 2014 and December 31, 2013 the allowance for doubtful accounts was $33,000 and $103,800, respectively. A reduction of $70,800 in the allowance was offset by a reduction of $88,800 in the accounts receivable and an addition of $18,000 to the reserve.
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. At June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, inventory reserves were $300,000.
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 subject to amortization include costs incurred by the Company to acquire developed technology in January of 2013, 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.
Goodwill
The Company's goodwill was recorded as a result of the Company's asset acquisition in January of 2013. The Company has recorded this transaction using the acquisition method of accounting. The Company tests its recorded goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more often if indicators of potential impairment exist, by determining if the carrying value of the Company's single reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. Factors that could trigger an interim impairment test include, but are not limited to, underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the Company's overall business, significant negative industry or economic trends and a sustained period where market capitalization, plus an appropriate control premium, is less than stockholders' equity. During the first six months of 2014 the Company determined that no interim impairment test was necessary. Goodwill will be assessed for impairment at least annually or when there are indicators of potential impairment.
Common Stock
The Company's common stock was split one-for-four in a reverse stock split effective July 22, 2013. The effect of this reverse stock split has been retroactively applied to per share data and common stock information.
Impairment of long-lived assets
Long-lived assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances have indicated that an asset may not be recoverable and are grouped with other assets to the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. If the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows (excluding interest charges) is less than the carrying value of the assets, the assets will be written down to the estimated fair value and such loss is recognized in income from continuing operations in the period in which the determination is made. Management determined that no impairment of long-lived assets existed as of June 30, 2014.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
On July 22, 2013, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer personally pledged to support a bank credit facility of $1,055,000 to support bank guarantees issued on certain construction contracts. This pledge was renewed on July 22, 2014 and will expire on July 22, 2015.
Financial Instruments
The Company's financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, related party demand notes payable and related party convertible debentures. The recorded values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values based on short-term nature. At June 30, 2014, the carrying value on the consolidated balance sheet of notes payable and convertible debentures approximates fair value based on current market rates for instruments with similar maturities adjusted for applicable credit risk.
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, amounts received were approximately $67,000, which offset the Company’s total research and development expenditures of $327,262. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, no amounts were received from grants and contracts from governmental agencies to offset research and development costs.
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. Prior to May 22, the Company had considered the sale price of common stock in the private placements to unrelated third parties as a measure of the fair value of its common stock. Effective May 22, the Company's common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Exchange, which is now considered the fair value of the Company's 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
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. (See Note 2 - Loss per common share)
Other Comprehensive Net Loss 
The comprehensive net loss for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 does not differ from the reported loss.
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 months ended and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
 
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Products
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cogeneration
$
1,419,581

 
$
457,486

 
$
2,573,850

 
$
1,735,642

Chiller
588,345

 
350,368

 
1,378,852

 
1,124,877

Total Product Revenue
2,007,926

 
807,854

 
3,952,702

 
2,860,519

Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service contracts
1,921,875

 
1,848,675

 
3,694,856

 
3,596,621

Installations
610,056

 
146,931

 
1,108,056

 
392,638

Total Service Revenue
2,531,931

 
1,995,606

 
4,802,912

 
3,989,259

Total Revenue
$
4,539,857

 
$
2,803,460

 
$
8,755,614

 
$
6,849,778


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.
Reclassification
Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation. As a result, installation revenue is broken out in the schedule of net revenue by product line and services above; in the prior period this revenue was included in services. Research and development expense is separated from general and administrative expense in this and prior periods.